HIGHLAND FALLS- Governor Kathy Hochul visited Highland Falls on Monday morning to survey the damage and update residents on the state’s efforts to respond to Sunday’s flooding that devastated the area. The Highland Falls and West Point area were hardest hit in yesterday’s storms.
Governor Kathy Hochul said state resources were in place in anticipation of yesterday’s storms. State police and swift-water rescue teams were in place and state emergency management officials were in contact with local leaders before the first rain fell, in anticipation of potential problems.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said that he and county emergency management officials were in constant contact with the Governor’s office and state emergency management officials throughout the flooding emergency. Neuhaus said the response was “phenomenal” and described the inter-agency cooperation as “great.”
State Department of Transportation officials and Orange County Department of Public Works will be assisting town and village municipal workers inspecting bridges and roads to ensure they are safe for the public. Neuhaus estimated there is, “tens of millions of dollars of damage here,” and said that he has also been in contact with federal representatives and has requested a federal emergency declaration be issued.
For her part, Hochul pledged state resources to hep the area rebuild from the storm. She acknowledged that rebuilding will take a long time, but that she and her administration will be supporting local officials throughout the rebuilding process.
Neuhaus reported that an emergency shelter for impacted individuals has been opened in Highland Falls, and will remain open as long as necessary.
