Cover photo: The remnants of Mill Pond in Stony Brook (Credit – Suffolk County Executive)
Long Island faced a devastating blow as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto, churning off the Atlantic coast, unleashed torrential rains and flash floods, wreaking havoc across the region. Among the hardest-hit areas was the historic Mill Pond, also known as the Stony Brook Duck Pond, located near the Avalon Nature Preserve. The pond, a cherished landmark, suffered catastrophic damage as floodwaters surged, causing Harbor Road to collapse and the pond to empty into Stony Brook Harbor.
The Mill Pond, a picturesque and beloved spot for both locals and visitors, was transformed into a scene of devastation as the flash floods hit. The rushing waters overwhelmed the pond’s banks, and when Harbor Road gave way, the pond’s water poured into Stony Brook Harbor, leaving behind a drained and damaged landscape.
The Duck Pond at the base of the Avalon Nature Preserve has not been emptied since 1910 and is known for its serene beauty and environmental significance. This local gem now faces a long road to recovery.
Despite the widespread destruction, there was a small glimmer of hope: the historic Stony Brook Grist Mill, which has stood as a symbol of the area’s rich history, survived the floods. The Grist Mill, a treasured part of Long Island’s heritage, remains intact, though surrounded by the aftermath of the flooding. Preservationists and community members alike breathed a sigh of relief at the news, but the damage to the surrounding area has left the community reeling.
As the floodwaters rose rapidly, houses in the vicinity of the Mill Pond were evacuated, with residents scrambling to safety. Emergency crews were dispatched to the area, working tirelessly to assist those affected and begin the arduous task of cleaning up the damage left in the wake of the storm. The severity of the situation prompted Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) to issue a State of Emergency, mobilizing additional resources to address the crisis and assembling local leaders together in the wake of this devastation. County Executive Romaine was joined by Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches), Town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham), and emergency response personnel.
“Unexpectedly, we knew there was a lot of bad weather in Connecticut, but it all traveled south and it all along the north shore in Suffolk County, including here in Stony Brook,” said County Executive Romaine. “Our long time Mill Pond is gone, six houses along here are damaged, their cesspools and personal belongings are now floating down this creek into the Sound. We are dealing with damage reports throughout this County. As a result of that, I am signing a Declaration of Emergency which hopefully will get some aid to our local businesses and homeowners.”
The County Executive also vowed to rebuild and look at where and how the damage came from in preparation of future storms.
New York State Assemblyman Ed Flood visited the site of the devastation, expressing his deep concern for the community he represents and vowing to support the rebuilding efforts.
“Last night our area saw an unprecedented amount of rainfall, this has led to significant damage throughout the district. The most catastrophic is the road collapse of Harbor Road in Stony Brook which caused Mill Pond to drain,” said Flood. “My office and I have been in contact with Supervisor Dan Panico and County Executive Romaine, and we will fight for any funding available from the state to fix the damage and restore the pond to the beautiful area it is.”
Assemblyman Flood continued by thanking law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and all the workers that responded and helped during this crisis.
The cleanup efforts are expected to take quite a while, as crews work to clear debris, repair roads, and address the environmental impact of the flooding. Local officials are coordinating with state and federal agencies to secure funding and resources for the extensive repairs that will be needed.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) has already vowed to assist his local government colleagues in any way he can.
“I stand ready to work with local leaders to ensure our communities across Suffolk get the support they need in response to this emergency,” said LaLota.
As Long Island begins the process of recovery, the community is rallying together, determined to rebuild what was lost. The catastrophic destruction caused by the flash floods has left a deep scar on the region, but the resilience of the people is already shining through. The community will band together as it always has and organize to support those affected, and plans will be made to restore the Mill Pond and its surroundings. Unfortunately, the rebuilding and restoration of this staple in the community will take a substantial amount of time and money.
Author’s Note: On a personal note, and as a native to the Three Village area, I, like so many others have core memories throughout my entire life at the Stony Brook Duck Pond. I have been going to Mill Pond and the Avalon for as long as I can remember. Feeding the ducks and swans, seeing the turtles, sitting on the stones for quiet moments of solitude, watching the fish and the picturesque tree-lined scenery was something I took for granted and I thought I’d always have. It truly was a happy and peaceful place for so many, including myself. Seeing this serene spot uprooted is heartbreaking to me as I’m sure it is for so many others within our beloved community. I am eternally grateful that local town, county, state and federal officials are vowing to restore this nature filled gem to us all.
The devastation from this storm is a stark reminder of the power of nature, but it is also a testament to the strength of our Long Island’s communities. As County Executive Romaine, Supervisor Panico, Assemblyman Flood, Congressman LaLota and others have vowed, the Mill Pond will rise again, and Long Island will emerge from this disaster stronger than before. We will rebuild and persevere through this disaster together.
