Multiple levels of government are responding to the disastrous storm and flooding that carved a scar through Stony Brook and drained the massive Stump Pond in Smithtown, causing $75 million in damages. Homes, businesses, and institutions battered by up to 10 inches of rain the night of August 18 are in line for state and federal funds under an emergency declaration by the governor.
“We are working around the clock to ensure that impacted residents and municipalities are able to rebuild after this devastating flooding event," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Protecting New Yorkers is my top priority, and I am committed to supporting Long Island throughout the recovery process.”
In addition to appealing to President Biden for FEMA funds, Hochul announced grants of up to $50,000 through a state Homes and Community Renewal program. She dispatched a team of disaster experts to assess the damage and pursue Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration relief funds.
“I am thankful for Gov. Hochul signing the executive order declaring a Disaster Emergency for Suffolk,” said County Executive Ed Romaine, who estimated that damage caused by the thunderstorms and subsequent flooding at $75 million. “As we continue to assess damage and uncover the magnitude of this disaster, we are grateful for the state’s partnership as we will continue to work with all our partners to ensure our communities recover from this unprecedented weather event.”
A torrent of water from Stony Brook’s Mill Pond washed out Harbor Road after a centuries-old earthen dam that created the pond collapsed. The flash flood took out homes and completely drained the popular waterway, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Dozens of volunteers organized by the pond’s owner, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, and supported with supplies from local businesses, chipped in to remove mud, debris, and dead fish.
In Smithtown, the dam that created Stump Pond let loose to reveal a surreal landscape of mud and the tree stumps that gave the pond its name. A massive amount of water drained into the Nissequogue River but didn’t leave as much destruction as the Mill Pond dam break. Unaware of the catastrophe, a local angler who had moved to Nevada showed up with his gear only to find the once-productive fishing spot completely drained.
Flooding from the torrential rain wreaked havoc across Long Island, washing out numerous buildings and leaving behind a soggy mess. The Smithtown Library’s collection of historical documents dating back to the 1700s was inundated, as were nearby churches and structures at Stony Brook University. Further east, bluffs and spillways leading to the Long Island Sound in Rocky Point and Sound Beach suffered severe erosion. Commercial parking lots and basements couldn’t handle the sudden deluge and collected an unprecedented amount of water.
The flooding was so significant that the National Weather Service declared the first-ever flash flood emergency for Suffolk County, which indicates an immediate threat to life. According to the governor, it was a one-in-1,000-year rain event for the impacted areas.
Brookhaven Town saw multiple swift water rescues as various roads were flooded, including Route 25A, Rocky Point Road, and Hagerman Landing Road.
Over 2,000 residents and business owners experienced flood damage in some capacity, and Stony Brook University had to relocate and shelter hundreds of students and cancel move-in day for the new semester. Numerous trees were toppled, and more than 70 structures had significant damage or were completely destroyed.
After contacting insurance companies, residents can also get assistance with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on documenting their losses and safeguarding their property by calling the state’s Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759. Open until August 30, the hotline has extended evening hours and will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.