The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for western Chemung and Schuyler counties and all of Steuben and Yates counties Friday morning as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby move through New York state.
The flash flood warning is in effect until 3:30 p.m.
Up to an inch of rain had already fallen across parts of the area by 9:30 a.m., with flash flooding “ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters expect flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Elmira, Corning, Hornell, Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, Dundee, Montour Falls, West Elmira, Southport, Big Flats, Horseheads, Bath, Elmira Heights, Starkey, Campbell, Benton, Urbana, Canisteo, Caton and Lindley.
Steuben County declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon banning unnecessary travel due to widespread flash flooding and dangerous road conditions.
Southern Steuben County was hit hard by flash flooding with the hamlets of Jasper and Woodhull ordered to evacuatealong with the southside of the Village of Addison along the Tuscarora Creek. All residents along the Tuscarora Creek between Woodhull and Addison were urged to head to higher ground immediately.
The Chemung River in Corning is forecasted to peak in the action stage at 23.7 feet, while in Elmira it is expected to peak at 10.5 feet, also below the minor flood stage, according to NOAA.
More:State of emergency in Steuben County. Jasper, Woodhull ordered to evacuate
These Steuben County roads closed under emergency order
Portions of 10 roads in Steuben County have been closed under an emergency order following extensive flash flooding in the southern part of the county.
The county issued the following road closures late Friday afternoon:
- State Route 248 from CR 60 to CR 98 Town of West Union
- County Route 126 from Reiman Rd to SR 417 Town of Greenwood
- County Route 129 Town of Woodhull
- County Route 11 from Worth Rd Town of Bath to Risingville Hamlet Town of Thurston
- County Route 14 from CR 15 Town of Bath to CR 119 Town of Canisteo
- County Route 21 from CR 102 (Woodhull) to South Rd (Rathbone)
- State Route 36 closed between SR 248 to SR 417
- County Route 28 from CR 64 (Hartsville) to SR 248 (Canisteo)
- County Route 98 (West Union)
- County Route 77 from CR 74 to Waldo Rd (Prattsburgh)
Many other roadways throughout Steuben County may also be damaged or impassable, the county advised. No unnecessary travel should occur until further notice, the county said.
Residents should exercise extreme caution during their evening commute and avoid driving through water-covered roads.
How to get help if you’re displaced
A Red Cross shelter is being established at the Corning-Painted Post High School Fieldhouse. Addison Central School District buses were transporting impacted residents to the shelter Friday.
Another shelter “open to all individuals and families in need of essential services” has been established at Hornell High School located at 134 Seneca St. in Hornell.
WATCH:Dramatic videos capture intense flooding across Steuben County, Canisteo, upstate NY
Southern Tier flood stage forecasts
Click here for a complete map of National Weather Service river gauges in the region.
— This story may be updated as more information is available. You can also follow along with our live storm blog here.