Rochester, N.Y. — A flood watch is now in effect for a large portion of Upstate New York, with the National Weather Service warning of heavy rain and possible flash flooding throughout the day. The advisory, issued early Sunday, is set to remain active from 11 a.m. through late tonight, as slow-moving thunderstorms track across the region.
The watch covers a broad swath of the state, including Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Oswego, Allegany, Lewis, and Northern Cayuga counties in western and north-central New York, as well as Onondaga, Madison, Oneida (north and south), Tompkins, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates, and Southern Cayuga counties in central New York and the Southern Tier. Southern Herkimer County, in the Mohawk Valley, is also included in the alert.
Forecasters say the main concern is flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas, urban zones, and places with poor drainage. Rainfall rates could top 1 inch per hour, with multiple rounds of storms likely to develop throughout the day and into the evening.
The slow movement of these storm systems means some locations could see significant rainfall totals in a short amount of time, increasing the risk of quick-developing floods on streets, in basements, and across smaller creeks and streams.
Residents are urged to stay alert for updated forecasts and possible flash flood warnings. Authorities stress the importance of avoiding flooded roadways, repeating the well-known phrase: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Even a small amount of moving water can be dangerous, and road closures are possible as the storms progress.
With saturated ground from earlier rainfall and unstable atmospheric conditions in place, localized flooding remains a serious concern as the region braces for another round of intense summer storms.
