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The rain arrived in the region late Thursday night, Sept. 28, and is expected to continue into Friday evening, Sept. 29, bringing as much as three to five inches of rain and flash flooding along with it.
The weather event prompted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency in the Hudson Valley, including Westchester.
The storm has already resulted in the following closures on parkways in the county due to flooding, according to Westchester County and State Police:
- The Bronx River Parkway is now closed between the split with the Sprain Brook Parkway in Yonkers and Main Street in White Plains. There is significant flooding in the area of Oak Street in Mount Vernon;
- The Hutchinson River Parkway is affected by numerous partial closures between the New York City border and North Avenue in New Rochelle. There is significant flooding in the area of Wolf's Lane in Pelham and East Lincoln Avenue in New Haven.
- The Saw Mill River Parkway is now closed between the Cross County Parkway and the New York City line;
- Ramps leading to and from the Hutchinson River Parkway on the Cross County Parkway are now closed;
- The Playland Parkway is now closed.
- The southbound Taconic State Parkway between Stevens Ave and Cleveland Street and the northbound lanes between Commerce Street and Stevens Ave. in Mount Pleasant are now closed.
- The Exit 22 off-ramp of northbound Interstate 95 (Midland Ave) is closed;
- The I-95 Exit 18A northbound exit ramp is closed as a result of flooding on Mamaroneck Ave.;
- The I-95 Exit 21 slip ramp to Midland Ave is closed.
Additionally, countless other roads in the county have been closed by flooding, including Bedford Road (Route 117) in New Castle between Orchard Ridge Road and North Way.
The heavy rains have also prompted City of Rye officials to issue an evacuation warning to Highland Hall and Island Village residents as a result of flooding.
Rye officials added that anyone living along low-lying areas in Blind Brook should immediately evacuate and head to higher ground. Anyone in need of short-term shelter can head to the Rye Recreation Center at 281 Midland Ave. or the Rye Golf Club Administration Building at 330 Boston Post Rd.
City of Rye Police will also be removing cars in flood-prone areas at owners' expense, including the Highland parking lot, the department said, also advising residents not to drive through flooded streets.
The flash flooding has also resulted in Mount Vernon city officials declaring a state of emergency on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 11:45 a.m.
"This State of Emergency is declared due to hazardous weather events from heavy downpours resulting in localized urban flooding, poor drainage flooding, flash flooding, damage to private and public property and public infrastructure," Mount Vernon city officials said, adding that it would continue for no more than five days or until it is amended by a subsequent order.
The cities of Yonkers and New Rochelle also declared separate states of emergency on Friday.
A flood watch has been declared in Westchester by the National Weather Service and will last through Friday evening.
The state of emergency declared by Hochul covers New York City, the Hudson Valley, including Westchester, and Long Island, and, said Hochul is "in response to the significant, dangerous rainfall that is currently impacting the region and is expected to continue for the next 20 hours.
"Ahead of this storm we deployed thousands of State personnel and I have directed all state agencies to provide all necessary resources to address this extreme weather event.
"It is critical that all New Yorkers take all necessary precautions and avoid flooded roads, which are some of the most dangerous places during flash floods."
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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