From the governor's office: Residents of Schoharie Valley and Catskills should be on alert tonight for more rain. Specific warnings are made for western Delaware County, particularly Unadilla -- see the highlighted areas in bold:
Governor Cuomo Orders State Emergency Resources to Broome County and Southern Tier as Heavy Rains Threaten More Flooding
Emergency Resources Remain on Alert in Schoharie Valley And Catskills
Albany, NY (September 7, 2011)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that resources reflecting the State's full emergency response capacity have been deployed to Broome County as heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee caused flood levels at the Susquehanna and other Southern Tier creeks and tributaries.
"With prolonged heavy rains falling on saturated land, rivers and major creeks began to rise yesterday and upstate dams once again approached their capacities," Governor Cuomo said. "I deployed the State Emergency Management Office to Binghamton last night to coordinate the delivery of state resources which might be necessary to protect life and property should serious flooding develop in areas along the flood-prone Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers."
The Governor also deployed 125 National Guard troops with high axle clearance vehicles to the area to aid in rescues, emergency services and management, along with swift water boats and specially trained crews from the New York State Police and the State Department of Environmental Conservation. Combined, these units performed dozens of water rescues in seriously flooded areas of upstate last week. Governor Cuomo said aviation units are on alert and available as necessary.
General Patrick Murphy, head of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs; Andrew Feeney, Director of the State Office of Emergency Management; Joan McDonald, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Transportation; and Matt Driscoll, President of the Environmental Facilities Corporation and Co-Chair of the Upstate Storm Recovery Task Force have all been deployed to Broome County.
Governor Cuomo said National Guard, State Police, Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Conservation crews and equipment had also remain on alert today in the Schoharie and Catskill regions. However, the situation in these areas appears to have stabilized as the rain appears to be staying to the west. The Governor said the New York Power Authority had been managing water flow from its Blenheim Gilboa facilities in order to accommodate high levels of water.
A flood warning was issued today at 3:59 PM, expiring September 08 at 3:59 AM, by the National Weather Service in Binghamton for the following rivers
- In New York Susquehanna River At Owego Affecting Tioga County
- Susquehanna River At Unadilla Affecting Delaware And Otsego Counties
- Susquehanna River Near Windsor Affecting
- Broome County Chenango River At Sherburne Affecting Chenango County
- Chenango River At Greene Affecting Chenango County
- Chenango River At Chenango Forks Affecting Broome County
- Unadilla River At Rockdale Affecting Chenango And Otsego Counties
- Tioughnioga River At Cortland Affecting Cortland County
- Otselic River At Cincinnatus Affecting Cortland County
Forecast Flooding Changed From Moderate To Major Severity For The Following Rivers In New York:
- Susquehanna River At Conklin Affecting Broome And Susquehanna Counties
- Susquehanna River At Vestal Affecting Broome And Tioga Counties
- Susquehanna River At Bainbridge Affecting Chenango And Delaware Counties
Susquehanna River At Binghamton Washington Street Affecting Broome County
