The torrential downpours that pelted Berkshire County and nearby New York state with historic July rainfall were expected to lighten by Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y.
The 24-hour storm that began Tuesday afternoon dropped from 3 to 12 inches over the region, with the lowest amounts in Berkshire County and southern Vermont.
At Pittsfield Municipal Airport, 3.3 inches were in the rain gauge as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, while the automated weather station at Harriman-and-West Airport in North Adams recorded 3.1 inches.
That's nearly equals the normal month of July total. So far this month, nearly 9 inches of rain has fallen in Pittsfield, double the average total.
New York’s Capital District was hit much harder, with Schodack in Rensselaer County, just 30 miles west of Pittsfield, hitting the region’s jackpot with a stunning 12 inches by late afternoon Wednesday, 11.5 inches in Kinderhook and 9 inches in Nassau, 10 miles west of the Massachusetts state line,
The region’s rainfall totals were the highest from a 14-hour rain event since Tropical Storm Irene on Aug, 28, 2011, with 4 to 11 inches countywide.
The Red Cross opened emergency shelters to house people rescued from flooded homes in eastern New York. Road washouts were reported across the region, the Times-Union of Albany, N.Y., reported.
Amtrak canceled its rail service between Penn Station in Manhattan and Albany because of high water and debris on the tracks.
The National Weather Service lifted its flood watches and warnings as scheduled by 8 p.m. Wednesday. Additional showers are forecast for Thursday, but only up to half an inch of rain is expected.
The only warning in the Berkshires was issued for the Hoosic River in Williamstown, for minor flooding.
The county should dry out Friday, forecasters said. The The first day of August will offer typical midsummer warmth and humidity on Saturday with temperatures near 80, allowing streams, creeks and rivers to recede into the weekend.
Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@yahoo.com.
