{"id":58258,"date":"2017-07-24T19:07:53","date_gmt":"2017-07-24T23:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=58258"},"modified":"2017-07-25T09:18:20","modified_gmt":"2017-07-25T13:18:20","slug":"governor-deploys-staff-to-southern-tier-to-survey-areas-hit-by-flash-flooding-watch-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2017\/07\/24\/governor-deploys-staff-to-southern-tier-to-survey-areas-hit-by-flash-flooding-watch-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor deploys staff to Southern Tier to survey areas hit by flash flooding; watch continues"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Flash

Vehicles struggle their way through flooded streets in Owego on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today deployed <\/span>c<\/span>ommissioners and executive and regional staff from the Governor’s Office, Department of Transportation, and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to assess damage after heavy rains and flooding occurred in Tioga and Broome Counties overnight. <\/span><\/p>\n

State Route 17 is closed between Exit 62 (Nichols) and Exit 63 (<\/span>Lounsberry<\/span>) in Tioga County due to damage from Sunday<\/span><\/span> night’s flash flooding and detours have been posted. State Police are assisting with traffic control and traveler advisories, and electronic variable message signs in New York and Pennsylvania are being used to warn motorists of the closure. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Flooding and other severe<\/span> weather <\/span>have<\/span> damaged roads and bridges across the Southern Tier and continues to cause issues in urban areas, where drainage is poor, and near rivers and streams which are already at their peak levels,” <\/span>Governor Cuomo said.<\/span> “We are deploying state resources to provide assistance to New Yorkers in need and help these communities recover as quickly as possible.” <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Flash

One local resident got out the kayak after the rain stopped. Pictured, is Michelle Anders and her son, Mason.<\/p><\/div>\n

The New York State Department of Transportation has mobilized 39 staff in response to last night’s flash flooding, including two bridge inspection teams checking for structural damage to bridges, two engineers and 31 highway maintenance staff. DOT deployed equipment to remove debris, perform ditch repair and other highway maintenance activities. DOT is also expediting repairs to the Route 17 Bridge over <\/span>Wappasening<\/span> Creek in the Town of Nichols, which rose <\/span>10<\/span> feet very quickly overnight and exposed support pilings due to a washout of the embankment.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Equipment deployed includes 11 dump trucks, five pickup trucks, three loaders, a backhoe, a bobcat, two excavators and a tractor trailer. The Department also has executed a contract that will expedite bridge repairs, enabling traffic to be restored as soon as possible.  For up to date travel conditions, including road closures, dial 511 or visit <\/span>www.511ny.org<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management has been in constant communication with local officials and emergency management have four personnel in the area. State Stockpiles have been readied for deployment and the following assets are available if needed:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022           61 generators in the Binghamton Stockpile, and 608 available statewide<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022           32 light towers in the Binghamton Stockpile, and 232 available statewide<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022           5 pumps in the Binghamton Stockpile, and 1,218 available statewide<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022           30,000 sandbags in the Binghamton Stockpile, and 482,680 available statewide<\/span><\/p>\n

While the very heaviest of the rain has passed through the area, parts of Broome and Tioga Counties have already received two to four inches or more of rain which resulted in flash flooding with more flooding expected due to the potential for an additional inch of rain in a short period of time especially in poor drainage areas in and around urban locations, and the sensitive areas that have recently received heavy rain and already experienced flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Broome and Tioga Counties until 8 p.m.<\/span><\/span> tonight<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The State Watch Center and Emergency Operations Center are operating at a Level 4 activation which includes enhanced monitoring as the Flood Watches and Warnings continue throughout the day<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 12 Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Conservation Officers, Spills Response and Division of Water staff are inspecting flood control projects in Broome, Tioga, and Chenango counties. Inspections to date have not identified any issues. On July 24, DEC Environmental Conservation Officers<\/span> patrolled the Big <\/span>Choconut<\/span> Creek in Vestal in response to flooding and to determine if additional resources might be required. Initial reports indicate the Susquehanna River and associated flood control facilities have not been adversely affected, but localized heavy rains south of the Susquehanna caused flash flooding in some streams in the watershed. Damage assessments are continuing.<\/span><\/p>\n

DEC Environmental Conservation Officers, Spills Response and Division of Water staff will continue to assess flood impacts in the Southern Tier counties. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Governor offered the following tips to stay safe from flooding: <\/span><\/p>\n

Download NY-Alert<\/span><\/strong> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NY-Alert<\/span> is the state’s free, subscription based, customizable, all-hazards alerting system. Alerts, such as important information regarding severe weather, can be emailed and also pushed to your cell phone via text message. To subscribe<\/span>, visit the NY-Alert website at <\/span>https:\/\/www.nyalert.gov\/<\/span><\/a>. For more information on N<\/span>Y-Alert, visit the FAQ page at <\/span>https:\/\/www.nyalert.gov\/faq<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If Flooding Occurs in Your Area:<\/span><\/p>\n