On the night of August 27 and into the morning hours of August 28 Hurricane Irene swept through the tri-state area leaving a path of destruction. The hurricane wont be remembered so much for it's high winds, which are usually associated with hurricanes but rather for its flooding rains. Hurricane Irene dumped approximately 5inches of rain on Rye in a short amount of time along with the storm surge of 3-6 feet that lead to the flooding of Blind Brook .
Rye firefighters along with the Rye police department and with assistance from the department of public works, used boats and front loaders to evacuate homes and apartments or rescue stranded motorist. One call was for evacuation of Highland Hall co-op apartments where 99 units had to be evacuated because of the flood waters. In addition a 7,000 gallon fuel tank inside the basement also leaked home heating fuel into the waters. Many homes and apartments remain without power and may not e back online for days.
The fire department also had to evacuate and move equipment from fire headquarters as the flood waters quickly entered the basement, apparatus floor and part of the day room and front offices. Firefighters will be responding from Milton Station 2 until further notice.
No serious injuries or loss of life was reported in Rye but the fire department would like to remind you to stay in doors following the aftermath of a storm. Many wires are down and may still be live although they may not appear to be. In addition flood waters are highly contaminated as sewage systems overflow and mix with flood waters.
