1:20 UPDATE: Heavy rains and flash flooding leads to road closures

Flash Flooding OwegoOfficers are blocking traffic from the underpass in Owego, where over three feet of water settled following another torrential downpour on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Wendy Post)

1:20 UPDATE: Tioga Downs reopened at noon. In a statement from Tioga Downs, they wrote, “Tioga Downs Casino opened at noon. The buffet will open at 4 p.m. for dinner. Opening was delayed due to road conditions in the area this morning.” Traffic, however, continues to be re-routed between Exit 62 and Exit 63. 

UPDATE: The Sheriff’s Department has now reported that I86 is closed from Exit 62 to Exit 63. Also closed is the dirt end of Sulphur Springs Road between Sibley and Waits.

According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood watch will remain in effect until noon today. On their website, they noted that rain, moderate to heavy at times, will continue to affect the area into this morning.

At 8:45 a.m., the Tioga County Sheriff’s office reported that Route 17 East and West, from exit 64 to exit 61 would remain closed. Also closed are Winters Road, West Whitcomb Hill, and Neiger Hollow Road in the Town of Tioga. Fox Road in the Town of Owego is also closed.

Tioga Downs has also announced that due to road conditions around the casino, they will be not be opening at its normal time. They are hoping to be able to open at noon and will provide updates when possible.

The weather service explained that while the very heaviest of the rain has ceased at this time, parts of Bradford and Susquehanna Counties in Pennsylvania as well as Broome and Tioga Counties in New York have already received two to four plus inches of rain resulting in flash flooding. Most of this area will see at least another half inch to inch of rain by mid morning which will bring a continuing potential for flooding and even localized areas of continued flash flooding as any additional rain will be pure run off.

There will likely be a lull in precipitation later Monday Morning but by afternoon additional showers and storms are likely which may exacerbate problems in places that have already seen flooding.

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