Could Hurricane Debby Bring Flooding to New York’s Southern Tier?

Tropical Storm Debby made landfall in northern Florida and is currently moving up the East Coast, raising concerns about its potential impact on the Upstate New York area, especially in areas prone to experiencing flooding.

According to a report by ABC’s Eyewitness News AccuWeather, there is a warning of "excessive rainfall and flooding" that could affect Upstate New York. The storm is anticipated to head towards the northern states, which has sparked concerns about potential severe weather and flooding as the week progresses.

The National Weather Service has issued a grim forecast for the Southeast, indicating that catastrophic flash and urban flooding, along with other dangerous conditions such as tornados and high winds, are expected. This has raised concerns about the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding as the storm progresses northward.

The National Weather Service has also mentioned the potential for "excessive rainfall and severe thunderstorms" across portions of the Northeast, including the Lower Great Lakes and Northeast.

In light of these developments, the question arises as to whether Hurricane Debby could bring flooding to Upstate New York, with river towns in particular, keeping a close eye on the situation as memories of the floods of 2006 and 2011 resurface.

The Central New York and Northeast Pennsylvania regions experienced significant flooding in June 2006, affecting the Upper Susquehanna, Delaware, and Chenango River Basins. In 2011, Tropical Storm Lee swept through the Southern Tier, unleashing 6 to 12 inches of rainfall across the upper Susquehanna River basin in New York and northeast Pennsylvania. These heavy rains led to widespread and record-breaking flooding on small streams, creeks, and the Susquehanna River and its larger tributaries. The Susquehanna River's main branch in New York, spanning from Binghamton to Vestal, Owego, and Waverly, even exceeded the previous record crests set in June 2006 by 1 to 4 feet due to these extreme weather conditions.

The Weather Channel has indicated that scattered thunderstorms are expected to begin early Tuesday afternoon, with rainy conditions anticipated throughout the week, including the weekend.

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center at 11 p.m., Debby's Cone of Uncertainty now covers the Southern Tier area, as indicated by WBNG's Chief Meteorologist Howard Manges. This cone represents the likely path of the cyclone's center, and we must keep an eye on the forecast this week due to this development. Manges stresses the importance of monitoring the storm's movement, as heavy rainfall may occur later this week when the storm interacts with an upper-level trough over the Great Lakes.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service for Greater Binghamton Airport NY predicts the potential for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday night into Wednesday. These conditions could lead to heavy downpours and localized flash flooding, posing a threat to the central New York and northeast Pennsylvania regions.

The National Weather Service suggests that the impact and path taken by the storm remain unclear, as weather models are still being analyzed by scientists. The National Weather Service advises residents in these areas to stay informed about the weather updates and to prepare for potential impacts from the anticipated heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

On Monday, much of the Southern Tier was pummeled by strong storms which produced heavy wind. rain, and lightning, causing significant damage in areas such as Montrose and Endicott.