The Flood Watch Became a Flood Emergency: What Is Closed, Evacuated and Still Dangerous

Hudson Valley Happenings
Jul 27
2 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Historic rainfall has triggered flash flooding, evacuations, water rescues, road closures and power outages across parts of the Hudson Valley. Here is what residents need to know now.

By Larie Pidgeon / Hudson Valley Happenings

LIVE UPDATE — Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 12:05 p.m. EDT

The situation changed dramatically overnight. What began as a regional Flood Watch has become an active flooding emergency in parts of Columbia and Greene counties, with evacuations, water rescues, impassable roads and widespread power outages reported Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service urged people in the hardest-hit areas to avoid travel unless they were leaving a location threatened by flooding. Flood Watches remain in effect through Wednesday evening across much of the Hudson Valley, and conditions can change quickly even where roads currently appear passable.

WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW

More than eight inches of rain fell in Schodack, with nearly as much reported in Kinderhook, overwhelming storm drains, creeks and roads.
Flash flooding has been reported across Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties, with evacuations and water rescues in multiple communities.
The Schoharie and Esopus creeks have flooded, creating additional danger downstream and along low-lying roads.
Sections of Routes 9J, 150 and U.S. 20, along with numerous local roads, have been reported closed or impassable. Closures are changing rapidly.
Thousands of utility customers across the broader region have experienced power outages.

WHERE THE GREATEST DANGER IS NOW

Columbia and Greene counties are receiving the most urgent attention this morning. Coxsackie, Kinderhook, Hudson and surrounding communities have reported serious impacts, but flooding is not limited to those locations. The National Weather Service says flooding remains possible from the southern Adirondacks through Westchester County as rain continues.

BEFORE YOU DRIVE ANYWHERE

Stay off the roads in heavily affected areas unless travel is essential or you are evacuating.
Check 511NY immediately before leaving. A road that was open an hour ago may now be closed.
Never drive around a barricade or through standing or moving water.
Do not rely on yesterday’s route, commute or weather forecast. Conditions are changing block by block.

CANCEL CREEKSIDE AND OUTDOOR PLANS

Do not hike, camp, swim or gather beside rivers, creeks, drainage channels or swimming holes while flooding continues. Water can arrive suddenly from rainfall miles upstream, even when the sky above you looks calmer.

WHAT CHANGED SINCE OUR ORIGINAL REPORT

The original article explained where flash flooding could develop. It is now happening. This page has been converted into a live service update so readers are not making decisions from a forecast that no longer reflects conditions on the ground.

OFFICIAL AND LIVE RESOURCES