All Pelham schools dismissed students early at 1:15 p.m. Friday due to the rain storm that brought flooding to Pelham, after Colonial Elementary School was forced to send its students home earlier at 10:30 a.m. when its plumbing system failed.
The villages of Pelham Manor and Pelham along with Westchester County and New York State all declared states of emergency because of the inundation, with the county calling the storm “a significant, and potentially life-threatening weather event.”
“In consultation with local police, we believe we are currently in a lull in the storm with conditions expected to deteriorate as we move later in the day,” said the school district’s 12:30 p.m. email explaining the timing of dismissal.
In a 10:21 a.m. message, Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ said, “Unfortunately, flooding resulting from today’s heavy rain has caused the plumbing at Colonial School to stop functioning properly.”
The Village of Pelham Manor said it declared the state of emergency because it “avails us of additional possibilities. The roadways are in an unsafe state, and we strongly advise everyone to stay off the roads.”
“Do not try to go through swift moving water,” the village said. “It only takes six inches of running water to take your car away. You are encouraged to move your vehicle to higher, safe ground and put the e-brake on.”
New York State Police are using the Pelham Manor village yard as a home base to operate in the region due to the emergency, the village said.
At Colonial, facilities personnel will be working to repair the plumbing system so students can return to school on Monday, the school district said.
In an email Thursday night, Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen said, “Overnight parking restrictions are waived for all residents living in the areas north of Lincoln Avenue. For those living in flood-prone areas along Highbrook Avenue, please contact the Village of Pelham Police Department at (914) 738-2000 if you’d like to make other parking arrangements.”
According to Westchester County, “Dangerous rainfall is currently impacting the area and is expected to continue, leading to concerns of flash flooding and hazardous conditions throughout Westchester.”
“We are committed to providing all necessary assistance to address the threats to public health and safety,” said County Executive George Latimer.
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