Rescues, road closures after storm soaks state

Fred drenches parts of upstate raising rivers, creeks to flood stages

The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred deluged parts of upstate New York, forcing scattered road closures, home evacuations and water rescues.

Three to five inches of rain fell in parts of western and central New York by Thursday morning, swelling some creeks and rivers to flood stages. Tropical Depression Fred blew into the northeastern U.S. on Wednesday after closing highways and cutting power to thousands in the South. A North Carolina county announced Thursday that two people were confirmed dead after the flooding that prompted dozens of water rescues.

Swift-water rescue teams helped eight people from homes in Addison near the Pennsylvania border overnight and others had to be evacuated as the Tuscarora Creek surged. State rescue crews responded to flooded homes in six municipalities, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Officials in surrounding Steuben County estimate that more than 120 homes were damaged by floodwaters and a state of emergency has been declared in the county, Cuomo said.

About 125 miles northeast in the rural town of Western, around 10 families evacuated their homes as waters rose. Town Supervisor Diane Butler noted the town experienced flooding earlier this summer, as well as a tornado.

“We’ve had a rough summer,” she said. “How much can one little town take?”

Roads reopened and people were allowed back to their homes by Thursday afternoon in some areas. However, about 14,000 customers scattered around New York were without power Thursday, with the heaviest concentrations in central and eastern New York.

There was a tornado warning overnight in the Hudson Valley, though it was not clear if one touched down.