Binghamton, N.Y. – Showers and slow-moving thunderstorms are drenching Central New York this Sunday, bringing a serious risk of flash flooding from Binghamton and Elmira to Syracuse, Ithaca, and Utica through early Monday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, a Flood Watch remains in effect for a wide swath of the state—covering Broome, Chemung, Cortland, Onondaga, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, and Oneida counties—along with Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wayne counties in northeast Pennsylvania. Localized downpours could drop 2 to 3 inches of rain in just a few hours, especially late this afternoon and evening, with rainfall rates potentially topping 1 inch per hour.
Urban neighborhoods in Binghamton, Norwich, and Elmira are especially vulnerable to street flooding, while low-lying areas along the Chenango, Susquehanna, and Tioga Rivers may see rapid water rises. Flash flooding may also threaten roads in and around Syracuse, Ithaca, and Utica, including I-81, Route 17, and the New York State Thruway. Motorists are urged to avoid flooded roadways and seek alternate routes.
Residents should keep cell phones charged, gather emergency supplies, and prepare to move to higher ground if necessary. Flooding can strike quickly, even far from rivers, when heavy rain overwhelms storm drains.
This Flood Watch is in effect until at least 5 a.m. Monday. Additional warnings may be issued as storms continue overnight. Stay tuned to local alerts and never drive through flooded roads.
