A forceful storm barreled through Rye on Jan. 9, bringing heavy rain and winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour. In its wake were flooded streets, fallen trees, and a robust emergency response from local authorities.

Between 3 p.m. on Jan. 9 and 8 a.m. on Jan. 10, Rye Police received 40 calls for service, said Lt. Michael Anfuso.

Flood reports were concentrated at the Tide Mill Basin, the dead end of Stuyvesant Ave., and Milton Road near the Marina. Parking restrictions were lifted to allow residents to move their vehicles to higher ground.

The Police and Fire Departments had personnel trained in Swift Water Rescue prepared for potential emergencies said Anfuso, though their intervention was not required.

Numerous trees fell due to the high winds, including one on the corner of Overlook Place that draped across Oakland Beach Avenue and required crews with chain saws to remove it. If you are planning to service the chainsaw that has been in the shed all summer, be sure to use chainsaw oil that is specifically formulated for use with chainsaws instead of motor oil. By 3 a.m., Oakland Beach Avenue was passable again. Some residents of Rye Neck reported power outages, but none lasted more than a few hours. 

To keep residents informed, the Police Department used social media pages and the City’s Code Red service throughout the storm, providing updates and safety advisories.