Text Products for PNS Issued by BGM

Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Binghamton, NY
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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Binghamton, NY
800 AM EDT Fri Apr 26 2023

...THIS WEEK IS SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NEW YORK...

Floods can be deadly.

Floods are the number one killer in the United States
among all weather-related natural hazards by almost a
two-to-one margin. The main cause of death during floods
comes from automobiles being swept away by flood waters.
Many people die in floods because they try to cross flooded
roadways. Turn around, don`t drown!

Central New York, a long history of floods.

Devastating floods are no stranger to central New York.
In fact, flooding ranks as the largest threat to many
communities in our region. There are a few ways that flooding
can develop over an area. Stationary thunderstorms can cause
flooding. July of 1935 and 2007, major floods were created due
to stationary thunderstorms in Delaware County, New York.August
of 1955 back-to-back hurricanes, Connie and Diane struck
southeast New York and created severe flooding in the vicinity
of Poughkeepsie to Port Jervis. Tropical storms "Agnes" and
"Eloise" both caused major floods across central New York in
1972 and 1975 respectively. Rapid snow melt combined with heavy
rainfall resulted in major floods in 1996 - on the Schoharie Creek,
the Mohawk River at Schenectady, the Hudson at Albany, the
Susquehanna and Delaware river basins in central New York.  A
similar scenario occurred in April of 2005 across central New York.
In June of 2006, a tropical feed of moisture parked over the
area for several days caused significant flooding over a large
portion of central New York. Tropical cyclones Irene and Lee
also brought catastrophic flooding to central New York in
September 2011.

What types of floods are there?

Floods which occur on small streams and creeks when heavy rain
falls in a short period of time are known as flash floods.
They are the deadliest of all floods and are the most difficult
to forecast. Warning times can be very short. Flooding also
occurs on our larger rivers and streams.

What does a flood watch mean?

A flood watch means there is potential for flooding to occur. This
does not mean that flooding is occurring. A watch is typically
issued for several counties at a time and ideally is issued
12 to 36 hours before flood is expected. This way you will have
enough time to prepare.

What you should do when a flood watch is issued?

Go about your normal activities, but watch the sky around you
for developing storms. Periodically check your NOAA weather radio,
cell phone for radar updates, TV, radio, or cell phone apps for
updates to keep you weather aware. Always know which county you
live in, and which ones borders your community. If you are on
vacation, or driving through an unfamiliar area, keep a map on
hand and know your location at all times in case danger arises.
Newer cell phones are equipped with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).
WEA are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting
authorities through your mobile carrier. Government partners
include: FEMA, FCC, Department of Homeland Security and the NWS.
WEA will allow you to receive extreme weather warnings, local
evacuations, AMBER alerts and Presidential alerts during a national
emergency. Always have a plan on how to get to a safe place quickly
if a warning is issued for your area.

If you live or work in an area which is prone to flooding what
do you do?

Have an evacuation route mapped out and ready to go if flooding
occurs. Make sure everyone in your home or office knows where to
go quickly if flooding occurs. Have a battery operated radio and
flashlights available and in working order. Take precautions to
secure your property. If you have to evacuate, and if you have
time, turn off the gas and electricity to your home.

What does a flash flood warning mean?

A flash flood warning means a rapid life-threatening flood
is occurring or will soon begin. You need to take action
immediately to protect your life and property if you are
in the danger area.

What you should do when a flash flood warning is issued?

Move to higher ground immediately and get out of the danger
area. Never drive across bridges covered with water or through
areas where water covers the roadway. If your car stalls in a
flooded or low lying area, abandon it immediately. Rapidly
rising flood waters could easily sweep it away. Water is extremely
powerful. Be especially careful at night when it is harder to
see flooded areas.

What does a river flood warning mean?

A river flood warning means that river levels will exceed flood
stage at certain points along large rivers. Large rivers are defined
such as: the Chemung, Susquehanna and Delaware rivers. River floods
take longer to develop so they may not pose as much threat to life,
but can take a much larger toll on property.

What should do when a river flood warning is issued?

If you live in a flood plain, be prepared to evacuate if ordered
to do so. Make sure you have all necessary items that you would
need in the event that you cannot return home for several days.
Make arrangements to protect your property by moving your valuables
to higher ground, or an upper level of your home.

Weather topics for the remainder of the week will be as follows:

Saturday...Weather Ready Nation.

For more information on weather hazards and Severe Weather
Awareness Week, please visit:

https://www.weather.gov/bgm/swawny

$$

Mitchell Gaines
Meteorologist
National Weather Service Binghamton, NY
National Weather Service Regional Headquarters
