While the area began to breathe a sigh of relief from the 4-feet of snow that slammed the region and were hoping for a break, Mother Nature had another surprise in store, in the form of two to three-inches of rain. With the warm temperature rise, and the sometimes-steady rainfall on Christmas Eve, in addition to several feet of remaining snow, area residents were on high alert on Thursday as forecasts predicted flooding in the area.
By noon on Friday, Christmas Day, the Susquehanna River at Owego was recorded at 29.4-feet; flood stage is 30.0 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
The river continued to rise from snow melt on Christmas Day. This photo was taken from Fifth Avenue in Owego, and behind an area business. (Photo by Wendy Post)
The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this afternoon to a crest of 30.7-feet this evening. It will then fall below the flood stage late tonight.
The impact projected by the weather service includes flooding leaks over portions of River and William Street in Owego, and to Route 17C behind Price Chopper.
Basement flooding is expected to increase between Hickories Park and downtown Owego, to include near the Owego Walk-in Health Care building. The fairgrounds are becoming inundated.
Hickories Park in Owego is closed, and as the river starts to go over the road and the bank on Christmas Day. (Photo by Wendy Post)
The one factor that may help lessen things, regarding run off, is the sudden drop in temperature that is slowing the thaw. Runoff, however, continues.
Over on Mountain Road, which was impassable at one point on Christmas Eve, water is rolling off high rocks, and there is minor run-off in the road; the underpass in Owego is closed, and is impassable; we also received word that Turner’s Bridge was under precautionary alert as well as the Talcott Street Bridge, which had a possible structural problem because of debris.
The confluence at the Owego Creek and Susquehanna in Owego was being monitored on Christmas Day. Moderate flooding was forecasted for this area. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Over at the confluence of the river, and where the Susquehanna meets the Owego Creek, Environmental officials were already on the scene to monitor.
In the meantime, a State of Emergency, declared by Tioga County officials on Thursday morning, will remain in effect for 30 days or until rescinded.
The river level creeps up behind The Owego Steakhouse, located on Fifth Avenue in Owego. This photo was taken at about noon on Christmas Day. (Photo by Wendy Post)
And for those that are still dealing with the snow itself, in particular area farmers and rural landowners, Cornell Cooperative Extension may be able to help.
In a press release received earlier this week, a representative from CCE-Tioga stated, “Many farm structures were unable to withstand the weight of the up to 44-inches of snow, and collapsed. Tioga County farmers bore the brunt of the storm and some are still digging out their farms. Normal farm activities like milk truck visits and winter manure spreading are impacted.”
Pictured is the Talcott Bridge, which was shut down temporarily on Christmas Day to check for damage from debris. (Photo by Wendy Post)
And now with the additional water and flooding, it is making things even more difficult. To see how CCE-Tioga might be able to help, contact Barb Neal of Cornell Cooperative Extension, who is serving as the disaster point person for agriculture for Tioga County.
If you or someone you know had a farm structure failure, problem with farm operations or livestock, or collapsed greenhouse or high tunnel, have them text Barb Neal at (607) 793-6414 or email her at ban1@cornell.edu.
She stated that she would report all the snow related damages to the state as they work for a disaster declaration and provide disaster relief information.
Nursing home residents were temporarily relocated when a moderate flood stage was forecasted for the river. Here, the parking lot at Riverview Nursing Home in Owego, N.Y. remained empty on Christmas Day as the river below continued to rise. (Photo by Wendy Post)
In Owego, you can visit https://www.villageofowego.com/emergency-notification-system to sign up for weather alerts and to stay up to date on road hazards.
You can also visit https://511ny.org/ for weather and traffic information across New York State.
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