Governor Hochul Warns New Yorkers of Potential Flooding as Remnants of Debby Threaten State with Heavy Rain and Severe Weather

By Daily Monroe Staff

Governor Kathy Hochul today cautioned New Yorkers as parts of the state are forecasted to be impacted by the remnants of Debby with heavy rain and potential river and flash flooding.

Starting around midday Friday, Debby is expected to merge with another storm system, producing between 2–4 inches of rainfall with locally heavier amounts of 3–5 inches for parts of the region.

The heaviest rain is forecast to begin Friday afternoon and continue into the evening, and the heaviest rainfall totals are expected in parts of the southern Adirondacks, the eastern Catskills, and Central New York. Heavy rain may cause flooding of urban or poor-drainage areas, as well as flash floods and river flooding. For the New York City, Long Island, and lower Mid-Hudson regions, there is the potential for isolated severe storms with damaging winds gusts and brief tornadoes, ahead of the cold front beginning Friday afternoon through Friday night. Wind gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are possible along the coast, which could result in tree damage and power outages. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to monitor the storm’s track as a shift in its direction could cause impacts in different locations of the state.

“As we prepare for flood conditions, it is critical that New Yorkers monitor their local forecasts and take proper precautions,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will continue to monitor and deploy necessary resources to impacted areas across the state.”

The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with more than 3,429 supervisors and operators. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond and can be configured into any type of response crews needed such as flood response, chipper, load & haul, sewer jet, cut & toss, traffic signal, etc. DOT crews are also proactively checking and clearing drains and culverts across the state, particularly in areas impacted by recent floods and severe weather events. All residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed with operators, supervisors, and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.

Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1,399 large dump trucks
• 317 large loaders
• 86 chippers
• 86 wheeled and tracked excavators
• 30 traffic tower platforms
• 16 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
• 11 tree crew bucket trucks

Thruway Authority staff is actively inspecting drainage systems and ready to respond to any flood related issues across the state with 671 operators and supervisors, small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway.

Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 346 large and small dump trucks
• 63 loaders
• 34 trailers
• 6 vac trucks
• 13 excavators
• 7 brush chippers
• 100 chainsaws
• 22 aerial trucks
• 25 skid steers
• 86 portable generators
• 70 portable light units