Flash flood warnings are being issued for Upstate NY as Debby hits: See updated list

This story will be updated as new warnings are issued.

Update:

• 3 p.m. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency.
• 12:55 p.m. Flood warnings are now being issued in Oswego and northern Cayuga counties as the heavy rain moves northward. The warning is in effect until 9:45 p.m.
• 11:15 a.m. A flash flood warning has been issued for northwestern Broome County, western Chenango County and all of Cortland County until 3:15 p.m. One to 2 inches of rain has already fallen and more is on the way, the weather service said.
• 9:30 a.m. A flash flood warning is in effect until 3:30 p.m. for western Chemung and Schuyler counties, and for all of Steuben and Yates counties.
• 8:40 a.m. A flood warning was issued for Allegany County, in Western New York. The weather service said about an inch of rain has already fallen, with 2 more inches possible.

• At 10 a.m., the warning was expanded to include Monroe, Livingston, Ontario and Wayne counties.

See original story below map

Syracuse, N.Y. — The National Weather Service has issued the first flash flood warning for Upstate New York today, and it likely won’t be the last.

The first warning is for Broome County, in the Southern Tier, where the moisture-laden remnants of tropical storm Debby have already arrived.

An inch to 1.5 inches of rain has already fallen in Broome County and another 1 to 2 inches of rain expected over the next few hours, the weather service said.

“Smaller streams are already running at capacity and localized flash flooding is expected when the next round of rainfall pushes through,” the warning said.

The Broome County warning is in place until 1:45 p.m. today.

A flood warning is similar to a tornado warning: a signal to get out of harm’s way immediately. The weather service urges people in a flood warning area to get to higher ground or to higher levels of the house.

Don’t try to drive vehicles through flooded roads, the weather service warns.

“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the weather service said. “In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.”

A foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle in a flash flood.

Nearly all of Upstate New York is under a flood watch until tonight. A watch means that weather conditions could lead to flooding. A warning means that flooding is either happening or is imminent.

Several inches of rain could fall today across much of Upstate New York on ground already soaked by rainfall over the past few weeks, leading to rapid runoff into streets and streams.

“Flash flooding is by far the greatest risk for this system,” the weather service said. “However, a few storms with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes could occur.”

Flash floods are rapid rises in creeks or ponding water on roads. A flash flood can move quickly.