Hurricane Ida Wallops Scarsdale: 1,100 Without Power, Schools Closed
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(Updated at 1:40 pm 9-2) We braced for Hurricane Henri but we were walloped by Ida.
After Hurricane Henri failed to pack a punch ten days ago, many ignored the forecast for Ida, which proved to have a far more powerful impact on the Northeast. The massive storm brought record rainfall dropping over 3 inches of water in Central Park in just one hour.
The rains flooded all major Scarsdale roads, leaving the Bronx River Parkway, the Hutchinson River Parkway and sections of the Post Road impassable. At 10:48 pm, on September 1, the Village of Scarsdale warned residents to stay home.
Their email said, “The Village of Scarsdale is presently experiencing widespread flooding. Please refrain from travel until the flooded roadways clear -- vehicles are becoming stranded and it is not safe to be out driving -- stay inside.
If you experience water in your basement, please be cognizant of a potential electric hazard and seek professional assistance in the morning. The Fire Department is not assisting with basement flooding until after the storm has passed.
Please contact 911 with any life-threatening emergency and defer lesser needs until after the storm has passed.
Thank you and PLEASE stay indoors and off our local roadways for your own safety.”
We later learned that several drivers had to be rescued from their cars during the night.
The flooding also closed another Scarsdale artery, Metro North Railroad, leaving thousands stranded throughout the area. As of 8:00 am on September 2 service had not resumed.
Hartsdale Train Station at 5:45 am: Photo Credit Diane GurdenWater and wind has left 1,100 without power in Scarsdale, and Con Edison is still assessing the damage. The outage map shows outages in Edgewood, Fox Meadow and Heathcote. In addition, flooding at a Verizon facility has caused a widespread service interruption.
At 5:41 am on September 2, Village Manager Rob Cole reported, “The flood waters continue to recede from our roadways, though there may remain problem areas throughout the morning. Residents are encouraged to minimize local travel and to avoid all flooded roadways – several persons were rescued during the overnight hours after having driving into flood waters.”
An email from School Superintendent Thomas Hagerman at 6 am on September 2 delivered the sad news that all seven schools have experienced flooding and are c
Citifield Parking Lot:11:15 pm September 2. Many found their cars submerged in water.losed, for what would have been just the second day of school. Crews are working to repair the damage and the district hopes to reopen on Friday September 3, 2021. He asked parents to keep children inside away from downed power lines and flooding.
Residents are reporting flooded basements, knee deep in water, with no way to clear it.
In other news, hundreds were stranded at the US Open in Flushing Meadows. Though the matches continued in Arthur Ashe until 2 am, areas outside and even inside the stadium were flooded. The LIRR and subway service were suspended. The Grand Central Parkway and BQE were flooded and those who drove found their cars submerged in water. There are reports that some slept over at Arthur Ashe Stadium as they had no options to get home.
As of 8:30 am, the sun was out but the Bronx River Parkway looked more like a river than a road.
At 1:35 pm we received the following update from Village Manager Robert Cole on the state of affairs in Scarsdale: "I am amidst trying to get the latest ConEd info. The online outage map lists the best available outage updates. Right now, it still reports over 1,100 outages."
"There is a cut and clear crew in the Village and they have three more locations to clear. In addition, they have repair assessment personnel circulating. No estimated restoration times yet and no restoration crews in the Village yet, as far as we are aware; cut and clear is a necessary prerequisite in many cases."
"The Verizon outage appears widespread. One of their facilities was flooded and they are working to repair the damage, as wea have been advised."
Flooding at SHS by Susan DouglassThe roads still inundated include Brookby, Rugby, and Greendale – they are impassable due to flood waters. Areas blocked by downed wire and/or trees include Paddington/Ogden, Madison/Carmen and the Heathcote Bypass.
Have pictures? Please email them to [email protected].
Bronx River Parkway: 8:30 am September 2
We Made It Through the Rain: Scarsdale Weathers Hurricane Henri
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The Bronx River Parkway was more river than parkway. Photo Credit: Kathleen Campbell.Scarsdale appears to have dodged the worst of Hurricane Henri. Though there were some downed trees and branches and areas of local flooding from over six inches of rain over two days, the Village weathered the storm well. On Sunday a large tree fell on Oak Lane and knocked out power to 36 customers and the Bronx River Parkway flooded at Fenimore Road. But as of Monday morning the roads were clear and the storm appeared to be moving on.
On Monday morning we found flooding at one of the high school parking lots – and also noticed that the large seven acre retention basin at George Field was doing its job.
The weekend police report showed the following:
A large tree fell on Oak Lane and knocked out the power to 30 customers around noon on Sunday 8-22.
A large branch fee on Post Road, and a white Honda minivan had a large tree branch wedged underneath in at 3 pm on Sunday 8-22. A towing company was called to lift the car off of the branch.
A clogged storm drain caused flooding at the intersection of Wynmor and Secor Roads at 4:00 pm. Police were able to clear the drain and alleviate the flooding.
Fox Meadow Road flooded at the intersection of Paddington Road at 4:15 pm Sunday and was taped off.
The retention field at George Field Park did its job.
A tree fell on the guest house of a home on Mamaroneck Road at 4:30 pm Sunday. No one was injured.
There was flooding on Brookby Road at 4:30 pm Sunday and it was blocked to traffic.
At 4:45 pm on Sunday Boulevard flooded and was closed.
Tree branches were removed from Palmer Avenue and Griffen Avenue Sunday afternoon.
A tree fell on Saxon Woods Road at 9 pm Sunday and the highway department removed it.
Downed wires were reported at a Brookby Road home at 6:30 am Monday morning.
Commenting on the storm, Village Manager Rob Cole said, "I would like to express deep appreciation for our emergency operating team, including our Police, Public Works, and Fire Departments, as well as SVAC for their well-executed advance storm preparations and many hours spent monitoring the storm and local conditions. It should also be noted that the Westchester County Emergency Operating Center provided excellent municipal support as we all awaited Henri’s arrival. ConEd should also be recognized for their high level of advance preparation, as well, reflecting lessons learned from prior storm events that have not gone well.
While the storm was not entirely without incident, those conditions that did arise were promptly responded to.
Because of the training, dedication, and professionalism of our staff, the Scarsdale community is in good hands when confronted with the possibility of severe weather and other hazards.
Finally, please note that because of lingering rain, residents are encouraged to be aware of the continuing potential for flood conditions, including avoiding driving through flood waters, increasing stopping distances, and watching for pooled water on roadways."
One of the lots at SHS was flooded.
High School athletes were out in the rain on Monday morning.
Local Legislators Welcome NY State's First Female Governor
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After days of uncertainty about the future of New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday August 10, 2021. Taking his place will be Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who will be the Empire State’s first female governor.
See below for comments from State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, State Assemblymember Amy R. Paulin and Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
Andrea Stewart Cousins
“Today is a somber day for the state of New York, but one that demonstrates our ability to build a more accountable system of government. Governor Cuomo’s resignation opens the door to a restorative future. We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the courageous women who came forward and helped pave the way for safer and more inclusive work spaces.
Working with Governor Kathy Hochul, the first woman Governor of New York State, we will continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild our economy and face our challenges standing together. Governor Hochul is a dedicated leader, and united, we will get the people’s work done.”
Amy Paulin
Governor Cuomo’s decision to resign is for the good of New York. Over the past decade, the work done by Governor Cuomo has in many ways improved the lives of New Yorkers, but the evidence has made it clear that he cannot continue in office. The Governor’s resignation is a necessary step that will allow the State government to function effectively, and it sets the precedent that sexual harassment will not be tolerated at any level.
This ends a sordid chapter in New York’s history, but I hope it opens a new one, in which people in positions of power finally understand that sexual harassment is not okay and has profound consequences. What Andrew Cuomo did to 11 women is still happening in our society. So if this resignation leads to more abusers thinking twice, and to more victims deciding to fight back, then New York will be the better for it.
I would like to thank the women who came forward and shared their stories. Their bravery will not be forgotten.
When she is sworn in, Kathy Hochul will be the first woman to hold the office of Governor of New York. She is capable and prepared to take the position, and I look forward to working with her office to help the people of this State.
George Latimer
“Westchester County, and my administration, stand ready to work with incoming Governor Kathy Hochul when she assumes the governorship later this month. For years, incoming Governor Hochul has been a welcomed presence in Westchester County. She is well qualified to lead New York State in this immediate crisis.
“Also, for all New Yorkers, let us recognize this historic moment – that New York will for the first time in our history have a female Governor. Times have changed - as they should.
“We welcome incoming Governor Hochul, and look forward to cooperation between Westchester County and New York State in moving together in the right direction.”
Backyard Acting Camp, Based on "Hamilton"
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A dozen aspiring thespians participated in a backyard camp this summer, focused on the popular Broadway play, Hamilton. In search of a summer activity based on music and dance, three Edgewood parents of rising sixth graders reached out to a local theater company to organize a one-week backyard camp for twelve students.
“Backyard Hamilton Camp ran for a week from 9:30 – 3 pm in two Scarsdale backyards with breaks for lunch and snacks.
There are two instructors, equipped with only a keyboard led the kids in theater games, choreography exercises, small group performances and solo numbers. The kids even met a special guest on Zoom who was involved in the early development of Hamilton at the Public Theatre. The program concluded with a showcase.
According to students Avery Bower and Helen Gimbel the best part of camp was that they got to learn some “really hard, but fun choreography.” They also loved the theatre games the group plays, and competing as Team Peggy, Team Eliza and Team Angelica. Adena Zitrin added that the daily “Hamilton in Ten Minutes” was one of her favorite parts of the day. Each day they were given a different role to play. “Learning how to stage fight was an unexpected surprise,” said Jake Carter. All the girls chimed in how fun that was too!
For more information, contact Debra Asher at [email protected].
Quaker Ridge Doctor Reports Alleged Racial Profiling of 15 Year-Old Son
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A Quaker Ridge doctor and longtime Scarsdale resident is claiming that his fifteen year-old son was the victim of racial profiling by the Scarsdale Police last week. Bakhtiar Ishtiaq MD of 63 Stratton Road in Scarsdale sent us the following letter that he wrote to the police and the response he received below. He said, “I am detailing a very disturbing incident and trend in Scarsdale and hope you will publish it for your readers to initiate a discourse to improve race relations in our village.”
He plans to meet with the police with his wife and son.
(From Bakhtiar Ishtiaq to the Scarsdale Police and Mayor)
We are long-time Scarsdale residents having lived in the village for over a decade. I want to report and comment on a very disturbing incident that happened a few days ago. My youngest, 15 year old son, a student at Scarsdale high was racially profiled and harassed by a Scarsdale Police Department officer in the village.
On Thursday, July 22, around 9:30 PM, my son who happens to be a young person of color was stopped for no apparent reason while walking on the sidewalk between the Seven Eleven going to CVS in Scarsdale Village by a Scarsdale police officer who happened to be white. She asked him harassing questions about why he was there, what he was doing, who he was going to meet and what he was going to do after he met them. Understandably, my son was terrified.
To his good luck, two of his friends whom he was supposed to meet happened to walk by, said hello to him and at that point the officer backed off.
With the recent memories of white police officers, racially profiling and interacting with young people of color we were left without words when he told us about the incident.
As I mentioned we have been here a long time and have fortunately never experienced anything like this before but then it was only a matter of time.
I am wondering if other people of color in Scarsdale have had similar encounters with police or other institutional or individual entities.
Given the less than stellar racial diversity history of Scarsdale, it is imperative that the mayor, chief of police and other concerned people take note of such prejudicial encounters and move quickly to intervene to prevent notoriety, heartache, and tragedy.
Very concerned.
Here is the response he received from Det. Lieutenant B. Kellaher #201 from the Scarsdale Police:
Good afternoon,
I have received your email. I want to let you know that having worked in the Village of Scarsdale Police Department for over 15 years, I know that we pride ourselves on community service, professionalism and a mutual respect with our residents. I apologize for any negative experience that your son encountered.
I have reviewed the police officers’ activity log for the date and time in question, for the officers that were on-duty when you stated. I will let you know that the police department has a formal complaint procedure for instances whereby a citizen believes that service was not rendered in a proper manner. I would encourage you and your son to explore that option, whereby you can be present at our headquarters to report the incident to the officer’s supervisor and discuss the circumstances and possibly find a resolution or an explanation that would ease your son’s concerns and assist us in evaluating our response to citizen encounters.
Again, the Scarsdale Police Department is staffed by trained professionals and if there are other families that believe that this is not the case they too are free to report any concerns to our attention.
Thank you for reporting your concern and for your desire for the police department to maintain a quality of service that is uncompromised and of the highest degree.
Sincerely,
Det. Lieutenant B. Kellaher #201
Scarsdale Police Department
50 Tompkins Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Tel: 914-722-1200
Fax: 914-722-1214
Ishtiaq then replied:
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your expedient response.
As I hope you would understand, the incident has left us very shaken and we are concerned about our safety and the safety of our son.
We shall definitely take up your offer to present our complaint in person but will do so pending the advice of counsel.
Regards
B Ishtiaq, MD
