Hochul Swears New York’s Severe Weather Is ‘New Normal’: ‘Climate Change Impacts’

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday warned that severe weather, including heavy rains and flooding that is inundating the Northeast, should be considered the “new normal.”

“Make no mistake this is our new normal,” Hochul tweeted. “We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change and the last generation with the ability to do something about it.”

“Our first responders are being asked to handle more weather events than ever before,” he wrote. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, thank you to everyone who is working to keep us safe.”

Hochul, a Democrat, provided an update on the storms causing widespread flooding in the Mid-Hudson and Finger Lakes regions, with more than eight inches of rain falling in any 24-hour period in some locations. The governor said the state is facing simultaneous weather emergencies: Southern New York is recovering from Sunday night’s damage; heavy rains are affecting the Mid-Hudson, the Capital Region and the North Country; and a flood control is in place for most of eastern New York through Tuesday night.

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At a news conference in Highland Falls, New York, on Monday, Hochul spoke about the “extraordinary weather event” that he said had “devastated communities throughout the Hudson Valley.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul blames climate change for heavy downpours and flooding in the Northeast. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“Nine months ago, the skies opened and we had more snow in a 24-hour period in upstate New York than in history. Literally a few weeks ago, we again saw the skies bring us some some of the unhealthiest air from the fires just north of here in Canada that we’ve seen in a generation And once again the skies opened up and brought so much rain nine inches of rain into this community that they’re calling it an event of 1,000 years,” Hochul said. “It’s only the second time ever that the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency. The last time was Hurricane Ida. My friends, this is the new normal.”

Over the past few hours, Hochul said he has spoken with the White House, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both DN.Y., as the state requires assistance with infrastructure repairs. The US Army Corps of Engineers will also be tasked with assisting in the event of damage to the US Military Academy at West Point, Hochul tweeted.

Volunteers help clear Main Street of debris after flood waters subsided on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Highland Falls, New York. (AP Photo / Giovanni Minchillo)

“Orange County experienced a 1 in 1,000 year weather event last night. The rain has eased, but the crisis isn’t over,” Hochul tweeted on Monday. “I just toured the area and there is significant damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. A state of emergency is in effect for Orange and Ontario counties.”

The state has deployed more than 1,000 first responders to assist local governments, and New York State Police have rescued people from cars and helped evacuate more than 700 train passengers in Putnam County.

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Moodna Creek flows through Cornwall, New York on Monday, July 10, 2023. Heavy rains washed away roads and forced evacuations in the Northeast as more downpours were expected during the day. (AP Photo/Paul Kazdan)

Hochul said road closures are in place in Orange, Westchester, Ulster, Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland counties while the state Department of Transportation is working on repairs.

Portions of Metro North’s Hudson and Harlem lines were also suspended starting Monday.

“As extreme weather continues in Northeastern New York, the Lake Champlain region is at greater risk from flash flooding,” the governor wrote. “As we’ve seen, conditions can change in an instant. New Yorkers should take this seriously and prepare.”

Debris from a swollen river gets stuck in the railing of a bridge on Main Street in Highland Falls, New York on Monday, July 10, 2023. One person in New York’s Hudson Valley drowned while trying to leave his home. (AP Photo / Giovanni Minchillo)

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Under Hochul’s direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center and the State Fire Operations Center on Sunday. Status to support local requests for assistance.

Other state agencies have deployed personnel and equipment to assist with local responses to flash floods in the Mid-Hudson and Finger Lakes regions.