How much to repair West Point flood damage? Could be more than $100M, officials say

Chris McKenna, New York State Team
Updated ·4 min read
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WEST POINT - The surging stormwater had torn away part of Washington Road and the ground beneath it, leaving a gouge in the earth before continuing downhill into the basement of the garrison headquarters.

Elsewhere on the West Point campus was another sign of flood damage inflicted eight days earlier: cleanup workers in white Tyvek suits were entering a brick barracks that saw eight feet of water pour into its basement.

Repairing what eight inches of torrential rain did to roads and buildings at the military academy and Army installation on July 9 could cost more than $100 million, Sen. Chuck Schumer announced at West Point on Monday during a tour with other elected officials of storm devastation in eastern Orange County.

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Schumer led a delegation that also included Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Pat Ryan and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. Together, they flew over West Point and the surrounding area by helicopter and then got a ground-level view by bus, visiting places where damaged road sections remain closed and destroyed belongings sit outside flooded homes.

West Point public relations staff Cheryl Boujaida looks over a damaged road on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.
West Point public relations staff Cheryl Boujaida looks over a damaged road on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.

"It's devastating, devastating," Schumer told reporters outside the West Point Visitors Center. "You see the bridges that were washed out, you see the roads washed out, you see the barracks washed out. You saw the force of water coming in from the hills, and the damage it could do to this hallowed and wonderful institution."

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What is NY doing to repair flood damage?

He and other New York officials are pressing two federal agencies for help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can offer aid to reimburse state and local governments if the damages are severe enough to qualify as a major disaster. And the Army Corps of Engineers would cover repairs at West Point, which is handled separately as a federal installation.

A bust stop is packed with dirt beside a washed out hill at West Point on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.
A bust stop is packed with dirt beside a washed out hill at West Point on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has so far asked President Biden to declare a major disaster in 12 counties, and may add others after July 9 storm damage costs are tolled. The Hudson Valley was hit particularly hard, with five counties there —Orange, Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam — on the list. FEMA funding for state and local governments would pay for repairs to roads, bridges, parks, water and sewer plants, and other infrastructure.

Hochul also plans to seek federal aid for homeowners in Orange and Ontario counties, and low-interest federal loans for storm-damaged businesses.

In order to be deemed a major disaster, the statewide damage toll would have to surpass $36.5 million.

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"We're going to hit that easily," Schumer said at West Point. "But you just have to submit the paperwork to show that there was that much damage. But we're not worried about that."

He said the $100 million damage estimate for West Point was a preliminary figure that could rise as the storm impact is studied further.

Congressman Pat Ryan speaks during a press conference at West Point on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.
Congressman Pat Ryan speaks during a press conference at West Point on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.

For Ryan, West Point flooding 'a gut punch'

Monday's stop at West Point was a bittersweet return for Ryan, who graduated from the academy in 2004 and now represents his alma mater in Congress. The Ulster County Democrat was elected in November to represent New York's 18th Congressional District, which includes all of Orange, much of Dutchess and part of Ulster.

Ryan spoke about the jarring impact of viewing the flood damage and speaking to affected residents, and vowed to seek comprehensive aid for the entire area.

Road damage and a washed out hill at West Point on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.
Road damage and a washed out hill at West Point on July 17, 2023. A severe rain storm on July 9 caused an estimated $100 million in damages around West Point.

"It's really a gut punch to see your community flooded, to see the tragic loss of life," Ryan told reporters, referring to a 43-year-old woman who perished in the flooding in Fort Montgomery, near West Point. "And so we are channeling that grief, that frustration, and we are channeling that into constructive urgency. That is the operative word."

About 10,000 people live at West Point, including roughly 4,400 cadets attending the 221-year-old military academy, as well as faculty, soldiers and their families, and some civilian workers. The flooding took place when only part of the cadet population was on campus, including the incoming class that was in the midst of its six-week summer training.

According to Schumer's office, the flooding at West Point damaged bridges, dams, roads and buildings. In addition, at least 130 family homes on the base were flooded, with at least 20 sustaining severe damage.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: West Point flood damage: How much will it cost to repair? What to know