Risk For Excessive Rainfall, Flash Flooding Greatly Increased For Friday/Friday Night

Tropical moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Debby are expected to interact with an approaching cold front which may lead to heavy rainfall this Friday and into Friday night the National Weather Service (NWS) in Binghamton says.

Currently, the risk for the Central New York area is categorized at a moderate risk with a 40% chance of excessive rainfall and “rapid onset flooding.” The NWS says there is still uncertainty on where the heaviest rainfall will be. However, the timing is expected to be Friday afternoon into the evening.

Flash flooding and river flooding are major concerns for Friday and into Saturday from runoff. Saturated soils in the area from recent heavy rains have also lowered the needed threshold for flooding.

Always remember the phrase “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” when approaching a flooded area. A rapidly flowing stream or ditch can easily sweep people off their feet as well as a vehicle downstream with as little as 6 inches of moving water. Use extra caution when traveling at night, the National Weather Service says.