Update: The bulk of the storm has now passed through Upstate New York, and the rain and winds are expected to end in the Capital Region and Adirondacks in a couple of hours.
The storm dropped more than 5 inches in one Upstate New York county.
Flash flood warnings for many counties remain in place, however, as rainwater continues to run off hillsides and into already swollen creeks.
Steuben County, the hardest-hit area in Upstate New York, remains under a state of emergency while water remains high. More than 4 inches of rain fell, most of it within about six hours this morning and early afternoon. Rescue crews were using boats to rescue people from homes and cars.
The heaviest rain, and the worst flooding, was in a southwest-northeast line from southern Steuben County to just north of Canandaigua. Roads and houses were also flooded in the Binghamton area and the Catskills.
About 50,000 people remained without power at 5:30 p.m. High winds tore off branches that fell onto power lines.
Counties shaded in red remain under flood warnings until this evening or early Saturday as remnants of tropical storm Debby slowly move out of New York.National Weather Service
Previous story:
- 4:25 p.m. The National Weather Service said the storm is winding down, though rain was still falling in eastern and northern parts of Upstate NY. More than 50,000 customers were without power across Upstate.
- 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.
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.
The remnants of tropical storm Debby are reaching Upstate New York today and could lead to widespread flooding. This map shows the total rainfall expected through evening.National Weather Service