SULLIVAN COUNTY - The county experienced large-scale flash flooding on Tuesday, October 26 as a result of heavy rainfall that continued to accumulate until the late afternoon.

According to Sullivan County Communications Director Dan Hust, the county received three-to-seven inches of rain during the 24- hour time period.

“For better or worse, we’ve gotten used to this kind of quick flooding, and our first responders, highway crews and emergency officials are very experienced and well-trained in handling these kinds of storms,” said Hust. “Many of them were out all night ensuring our safety.”

Hust said there were no deaths or any injuries from this flooding, and most of the roads were reopened as of Wednesday morning.

Hust also reported that a state of emergency was declared in the towns of Callicoon, Delaware, and Rockland, and that flooding was most severe in the northern and western parts of the County where deep, narrow ravines channeled tremendous amounts of water into places like Livingston Manor and Jeffersonville.
“From a Countywide perspective, we once again avoided catastrophe,” Hust said.

The cleanup after the storm continues throughout the county.

In addition to areas experiencing flooding, the Town of Callicoon also dealt with a water main break in Youngsville.

According to Hust, Governor Kathy Hochul included Sullivan County in her disaster declaration, although it is still being determined whether the county suffered enough damage to qualify for state or federal funding.

Water Rescue Incidents
On Mesmer Hill Road in Hortonville, right off State Route 17B, first responders were called out to rescue a vehicle that was stranded in the rising water that flooded over the bank of the Delaware Creek.
After multiple calls were made to 911, White Lake Fire Company immediately dispatched one of their two rescue boats to assist the Hortonville Fire Company in the emergency.

According to the White Lake Fire Company, the rescue team on the boat consisted of three members from White Lake Fire Company and one from Rock Hill Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team.

The White Lake Fire Company added that the victim remained inside the vehicle for several minutes until they were rescued by the first responders via rescue boat. All subjects involved were accounted for.

Another vehicle was also reported to have entered high water in Damascus township in Pennsylvania.

In a similar fashion, the same rescue team consisting of three White Lake Fire Company members and one Rock Hill Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team member responded immediately alongside in assistance to the Callicoon Fire Department.

The second search and rescue was called off without dispatching the boat, however all subjects involved were accounted for, according to the White Lake Fire Company.

State of Emergency
As previously mentioned, the towns of Callicoon, Delaware, and Rockland all declared a state of emergency during the storm.

​​According to Town of Rockland Supervisor Rob Eggleton, he called for a state of emergency at 12:57 p.m. on Tuesday. He added that there was flooding in Livingston Manor on Main Street, Pearl Street and Meadow Street, and the town also had to close Covered Bridge Road in Manor, Old Liberty Road and there was a tree lodged on Finch Street by the bridge, but the town was able to remove it before there was serious damage.
As for Roscoe, Eggleton said they had some water from the storm drains by the traffic light, but it was mostly county roads within the hamlet that experienced most of the flooding issues, citing water across Rockland Road, and just leading out of Roscoe on Gulf Road, the water was over the top of the bridge where Yorktown Heights [Road] is.

Eggleton told the Democrat on Wednesday morning that he expected the state of emergency to be lifted later that day.

The Town of Delaware is currently still assessing the situation, according to Supervisor Stephan Lundgren.
He said that there were three significant washouts on River Road between the Callicoon Post office and Tower Road. Emergency repairs to the road will begin when materials and equipment are able to be brought on site.

“In the meantime, we urge residents to be extremely cautious and to use Tower Road to access their homes,” Lundgren said.

Along with the washouts, the highway garage in Hortonville was flooded as water from Joe Brook rose over its banks.

According to Lundgren, the state of emergency put in place will continue to be in effect until 11:59 a.m. on November 1.

As for the state of emergency in the Township of Callicoon, it will remain in effect until further notice, according to Supervisor Tom Bose.

“The main reason for the declaration was as always, for the protection of our Highway and Water District employees as well as anyone traveling our roadways,” Bose said.

The largest problem the Town of Callicoon continues to face is the water situation in Youngsville, where a water main burst during the storm, leaving the Water District without clean, drinkable water, according to Bose.

“Clean, potable water will remain available in a DOH certified and approved water tanker presently located across from the Youngsville School, for as long as is necessary,” said Bose. “People must bring their own containers.”

Bose also wished to express the Water District’s appreciation for patience and understanding of those affected by the inconvenience.