Severe Flooding Sweeps Across Upstate NY

Significant flooding has wreaked havoc throughout New York State as Debby, earlier a stalled storm over the southeast, swept north, bringing torrential rain and posing severe flooding risks. Counties across New York State are reeling under the impacts of the storm, with submerged vehicles and flash floods causing widespread chaos and leading to emergency rescues.

Emergency Rescues in Steuben County

The Bath Volunteer Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team were deployed for the rescue of a person trapped in a flooded home in Jasper and three people stranded on top of their submerged pickup truck near county Route 119. Post these successful rescue operations, Steuben County, one of the worst hit by the flooding, has issued a state of emergency, with evacuation orders for the communities located along Tuscarora Creek and those in the hamlet of Jasper due to safety concerns over leaking propane storage tanks.

Threat to boating and aviation practices as debris fills lakes and disrupts flights

Heavy rainfall on Friday has led to accumulated debris in water bodies, leading to warnings for those planning boating activities over the weekend. Sheriff David Cirencione of Ontario County has urged boaters to exercise caution while navigating Canandaigua Lake due to the potential hazards posed by the floating debris. Additionally, flight operations at New York City’s metropolitan airports have experienced disruptions due to heavy rain and storm-related weather, causing delays in both arrivals and departures.

Residents Grapple with Flooding

Naples Turns into a Waterlogged Zone

As Debby unleashed what has been described as a “monsoon” over Naples, residents watched helplessly as Naples Creek burst its banks, flooding backyards and renewable water bodies at an alarming speed. Sally Gardner, a resident of East Avenue, described the experience as startling as the water level visibly rose towards the homes in her neighborhood.

State Emergency and Evacuations in Steuben County

Consequently, the Steuben County Office of Emergency Management declared residents to avoid any unnecessary travel. Multiple roads were non-navigable due to the flooding caused by Debby. Along with this, evacuations orders were given for the hamlet of Woodhull, the Village of Addison along Tuscarora Creek, and the hamlet of Jasper due to the risk posed by leaking propane storage tanks. Emergency shelter for the evacuated individuals has been arranged at the Corning-Painted Post High School Fieldhouse.

Flood Warnings for the Rochester NY Region

The National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a flood warning till Friday evening for the Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Wayne, and Allegany counties, stating that flooding of rivers, creeks, and other low-lying areas is imminent. There is an additional flash flood warning for Steuben and Yates counties, along with Chemung and Schuyler.

Lessons from Debby:

After its devastating impact on Florida, Georgia, and Carolina, Debby‘s rainfall records in the South are a warning of the potential damages that can be caused by such storms in the future. With the climate crisis escalating, the severity and frequency of such storms are likely to increase, making proactive and responsive emergency measures of utmost importance.