Storm Brings Down Trees, Floods Downtown

Last night's storm brought down trees, damaged homes and flooded businesses in Nyack's downtown.

Main Street was closed for several hours yesterday as authorities dealt with the flooding—volunteer firefighters, DPW workers and others labored to get the road back in working order.

Stores on the lower level of the Nyack Plaza shopping center had three feet of water in them, and at least one store had a broken sewer line.

The majority of the water has been cleared out, but the lower level of the plaza remains closed. Carpet has been stripped from the stores, and trucks are currently hauling away damaged and waterlogged materials.

True Green Industries, a West Nyack Company that deals with flood and erosion control, is cleaning up the soil and vegetation that washed onto the plaza's walkways. Workers are power-washing the cement to clean away wood chippings that have caked on.

Though Main Street is open again for traffic, drivers will encounter some congestion—DPW, Verizon and other vehicles are parked on the side of the street.

Nyack homes were banged up during the storm, as well.

A property on High Avenue, that the corner of Polhemus Street, had a large maple tree come down during the storm and damage the home. At about 8:30 p.m. last night, the tree struck the kitchen, battering the roof and gutter.

But for the homeowners, it was damage to the tree—and not the house—that was the real misfortune.

"This tree's been here for a hundred years," said resident Derek Davis. "It's older than the house—it's a member of the family."

For generations, the tree provided shelter, beauty and a popular meeting ground for residents to sit and talk, Davis explained.

A crew from Bob Wilson Tree and Lawn Experts cut down the damage tree, removing its huge limbs and clearing a portion that had struck a corner of the house.

"I probably will cut off a piece as a keepsake," Davis added.