Torrential rains not seen since Tropical Storm Irene nearly 15 years ago flooded homes, stranded motorists and washed out roads across the Capital Region and Hudson Valley on Wednesday, prompting water rescues, emergency declarations and evacuations as creeks spilled over their banks and storm sewers overflowed.
The slow-moving storm settled over eastern New York overnight, drenching communities with historic rainfall totals that approached 10 inches in some locations and far exceeded the 2 to 4 inches the National Weather Service had forecast ahead of the storm.
Fire, police and rescue crews responded to emergencies throughout the region as relentless rain overwhelmed drainage systems and sent floodwaters rushing into neighborhoods. The American Red Cross opened shelters for displaced residents in Albany, Greenville and Hunter…