Clean your gutters now, if you can do it safely. They’re going to get a workout in the next day or two.
The National Weather Service at Binghamton has issued both a flash flood watch and a flood watch from Friday morning until 2 a.m. Saturday for the pending arrival of the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.
Flash flooding is the No. 1 concern, meteorologists said in a Thursday morning briefing — the likelihood is for many flash floods. But there’s a chance of river flooding Friday night and Saturday, too. Areas east of Interstate 81 might see an isolated tornado Friday afternoon.
Expect 2 to 3 inches of rain in Cortland and Tompkins counties. That adds to more than 3 inches the greater Cortland area has seen in the past week, raising water tables. “As we prepare for flood conditions, it is critical that New Yorkers monitor their local forecasts and take proper precautions,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in announcing the state is mobilizing resources. “My administration will continue to monitor and deploy necessary resources to impacted areas across the state.”
The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response is monitoring weather conditions as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby are projected to track over the area on Friday.
“This will be a fast moving, intense system, with widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches and localized higher amounts likely,” said Geoff Dunn, Tompkins County’s community preparedness coordinator.
Now is the time to check sump pumps to make sure they are in working order and, if you are able, clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and debris, he said. Have a plan to move to higher ground if severe flooding occurs.
If you are trapped by high water, call 911. Fire departments can pump water from flooded basements, but only if it is a foot deep or greater. Do not enter water that is flooding your basement as it can be a shock hazard. Water can extinguish natural gas and propane appliances, so, if you smell gas, call 911.
“Flash flooding, by its nature, is unpredictable,” Dunn said. “Don’t underestimate the power of water. Stay alert, avoid any unnecessary travel, and do not attempt to cross a roadway with standing water - Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
The National Weather Service offers this advice from its Turn Around, Don’t Drown program:
•It is good practice to have enough food, water and medicine on hand at all times to last you at least 3 days in the case of an emergency. Water service may be interrupted or unsafe to drink and food requiring little cooking and no refrigeration may be needed if electric power is interrupted. You should also have batteries, blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a NOAA Weather Radio or other battery operated radio easily available.
•Make sure your cell phone and portable radios are all charged in case you lose power or need to evacuate. Also make sure you have back-up batteries on hand.
•If you encounter flood waters, either from river flooding or a flash flood, avoid the water. A couple of inches is enough to carry a person away. A few more than that can take an entire vehicle.
The National Hurricane Center says Debby came ashore early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina. The storm is expected to keep moving inland, spreading heavy rain and possible flooding all the way up through the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast by the weekend.
Debby first made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is now a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds at 50 mph.
Considerable flooding is expected across parts of eastern South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through Friday, with an additional 3 to 9 inches of rain forecast, as well as in portions of Virginia, according to the hurricane center.
At least six people have died due to the storm, five of them in traffic accidents or from fallen trees. The sixth death involved a 48-year-old man in Gulfport, Florida, whose body was recovered after his anchored sailboat partially sank.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was updated with new details and forecast information.
