Powerful Storm Threatens Southern Tier With Flooding, High Winds, and Outages

A significant storm is set to hit parts of Central New York, the Southern Tier, the Catskills, and Northeastern Pennsylvania late Tuesday through Wednesday.

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The storm is expected to bring with it the potential for flooding, high winds, and power outages. The National Weather Service has issued various alerts and advisories for the affected areas.

A Wind Advisory will be in effect starting from 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday for portions of Central New York, the Southern Tier, the Catskills, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, a High Wind Warning has been issued for sections of northern Central New York from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night. Residents in these areas are urged to take precautions against the strong winds.

A Flood Watch has been issued for Northeastern Pennsylvania and portions of New York Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening. The heavy rain combined with melting snow poses a risk of flooding in streets, poor drainage areas, small streams, creeks, and some rivers.

The storm will begin with a brief period of snow or wintry mix on Tuesday, lasting from midday to afternoon, before changing to heavy rain in the evening. Rainfall is expected to be the heaviest from late Tuesday through early Wednesday.

Strong winds associated with the storm will pick up on Tuesday late afternoon. Overnight on Tuesday, peak wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph are expected, with localized areas experiencing gusts up to 65 mph. The higher terrain of Central New York and Finger Lakes are particularly susceptible to these high winds.

The strong winds accompanying the storm can cause downed trees, power outages, and potential travel disruptions, especially on flooded roads and high-profile vehicles.

Motorists are urged to exercise caution and avoid flooded areas. Residents should secure loose outdoor items and be prepared for potential power outages.