Torrential rains and flash floods swept across the Northeast on Sunday, causing significant damage in Long Island, New York. The aftermath of the heavy rainfall included a road collapse and the emergence of a massive sinkhole in Stony Brook. Harbor Road, which suffered catastrophic damage, was hit the hardest, with extensive destruction reported across the north shore area.

According to Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, the region was subjected to intense rainfall that saturated parts of New York and Connecticut late Sunday night. The resulting floods wreaked havoc on roadways and homes, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Video footage reveals a startling scene of water gushing out of a pond, pouring into the broken road, and floating debris scattered nearby. Fallen trees further added to the visual image of ruin in what was once a picturesque location.

Panico shared a video on Facebook, illustrating the collapsed road and highlighting that the last occurrence of the Mill Pond overflowing was over a century ago. The pond's sudden breach unleashed millions of gallons of water downstream along with various aquatic life and the belongings of homes affected by the flood.

Staggering estimates suggest that the road and rehabilitation project to restore normalcy to Harbor Road could cost upwards of $10 million. In response to the damages, Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine declared a state of emergency and signed a disaster declaration for the county, outlining the necessity for state and federal support in order to facilitate rehabilitation efforts. Preliminary assessments indicate that the total damage costs for Suffolk County exceed $50 million.

Romaine expressed his shock at the magnitude of the catastrophe while surveying the site. He conveyed his commitment to aiding local businesses and homeowners in their recovery, underscoring the county government's dedication to rebuilding the affected communities. Despite reporting extensive damage throughout the county, Romaine reassured residents that his administration would spare no effort in the cleanup and restoration process.

Gloria Rocchio, president of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, revealed that the flooding caused the Mill Pond's dam to break, resulting in a significant loss for their organization. The once pristine pond has been reduced to a vast expanse of muddy water.

The torrential downpour also inundated various parts of Stony Brook University's campus, prompting the cancellation of student move-in plans while damage assessments were being conducted. However, the start date for the Fall semester's first day of classes remains unchanged.

The National Weather Service office in Uptown, New York reported that from Saturday night until Monday morning, certain areas of Long Island received just over 10 inches of rainfall. Intense downpours within a short span of time led to flash floods, transforming roads into powerful rivers and leaving residents trapped in their homes and vehicles.

Emergency evacuations and rescues took place across multiple towns and municipalities, but the town of Oxford, Connecticut experienced the most severe impact. Tragically, two women were swept away by the rushing floodwaters during a rescue operation, and their bodies were recovered on Monday.

As affected communities assess the extensive damage caused by the deluge, the focus now shifts to recovery and rebuilding efforts. With the backing of local authorities and hopes for state and federal support, the impacted regions aim to restore normalcy as they pick up the pieces and move forward.