Cleanup efforts were underway Tuesday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where up to 10 inches of rainfall in a single day unleashed torrential flash flood waters that washed away roads and entered the classrooms and barracks of Army cadets.
Sunday's "once-in-a-generation" rainfall and flooding severely damaged housing, classrooms, barracks and infrastructure at West Point, according to Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deploy resources as soon as possible to help rebuild.
“The historic buildings of West Point are a symbol of our country’s proud military history, but right now West Point needs our help," Schumer said Tuesday in a joint statement with Gillibrand and Rep. Pat Ryan. "It needs the resources, engineers, and boots on the ground to both survey the damage, likely totaling in the millions, and get on the road to recovery."
They said they needed to act quickly because the federal military installation would not be included in potential aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under federal law.
There was only a single passable route to West Point on Monday, officials said. Routes 9W and 6 were severely damaged, and a portion of NY 218 collapsed. Academic structures and cadet barracks were flooded.
The U.S. Military Academy is assessing the extent of the damage and conducting ongoing clean-up efforts. There were numerous road closures.
"To all of our U.S. Military Academy and local Hudson Valley teammates: As we wake up and assess the impacts of the devastating rainfall over the past 24 hours, please be patient as emergency workers both on and off West Point clear roadways and assess infrastructure, this will take time," U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen Steven Gilland said in a statement on Monday. "Our teams are working together to ensure everyone's safety. We absolutely appreciate the support as neighbors, friends, and strangers pitch in to help others in this time of need."