Irene Causes Flood Damage, Then Exits Quickly

Union and Harrison Avenues were the only clear route through downtown Harrison at one point Sunday morning, as debris and flooding caused by Hurricane Irene made moving through town nearly impossible.

Downed limbs on the Hutchinson River Parkway closed the south-bound Union Avenue exit for most of the morning. Traffic northbound was diverted from the parkway for hours.

Parts of Union Avenue remains submerged in water near LMK Middle School. Nearby Feeley Field is almost completely under water. The duck pond between the field and Nelson Avenue created a large lake at one point Sunday between LMK and Harrison Avenue School.

To the south, parts of Mamaroneck Avenue along the Harrison-Mamaroneck border looked more like a river than an often used street Sunday. The road was closed for most of the day, making it difficult to even reach Harrison's downtown from that direction.

There were numerous reports of vehicles in the water throughout the morning. Drivers were reminded to not attempt to drive on any street that is covered in water, but several tried anyway. Cars were spotted this afternoon bogged down on Union Avenue and Tamarac Trail.

Several yards, roads and driveways were already under water in flood-prone areas by 7 a.m., hours before the rain was expected to stop. 

Rainfall, expected to fall at its peak around 11 a.m., began to taped off by 10:30 a.m. Sunshine was even visible by early afternoon.

Although the worst of the storm appeared over by Sunday afternoon, problems continue in flooded areas downtown and in West Harrison. Hundreds of people remain without power, Con Edison reports. Roads in some areas are also still impassable because of flooding or debris.

Homes are also damaged in some areas, and the process of digging out from under several inches of floodwater will be a task that continues into next week.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for tonight, according to the National Weather Service, but more heavy rain is unlikely. Strong winds are expected tonight before things clear up in time for Monday.