Chenango County declared a state of emergency as a result of Wednesday night’s violent thunderstorms. According to emergency management officials, there are reports of flash flooding, downed trees and power lines, and multiple road closures across the county following the storm, which is the third to hit the area in as many days.
According to Emergency Management Officer A. Wesley Jones, the situation is expected to worsen throughout the day.
“We’re extremely concerned because there is more heavy rain on the way,” Jones said, explaining that another major storm front expected to move through the area later today.
According to Jones, last night’s storm dropped as much as 2” of rain in some areas of the county.
“As of yesterday afternoon, we only needed a half inch to start significant flash flooding,” he said. “Obviously, we’ve gotten more than that.”
Multiple road closures as a result of flooding and debris have been reported in the towns of McDonough, Plymouth, Sherburne, Pharsalia and Smyrna. Portions of Route 12 through the City of Norwich have also been closed, and traffic detoured.
Early this morning, a reverse 9-1-1 call alerted residents living in proximity to Canasawacta Creek of imminent flood danger. By 8 a.m. the creek overflowed its banks in Plymouth, prompting evacuations. Within an hour, it had done the same within the City of Norwich limits. At 9 a.m., Jones reported the creek had reached 34 feet, well above its 20 foot flood stage.
The towns of McDonough and Pharsalia were among the hardest. Officials are investigating reports of a possible tornado in the North Road/Center Road area.
“There were multiple cells that came through that area,” Jones said.
Three barns were reportedly damaged by the high winds, and numerous trees were downed.
According to County Emergency Management Officer Matt Beckwith, the most severe damage was reported shortly after 3 a.m., which is when a tornado warning was issued for the area.
North Pharsalia residents Greg and Denise Ashton were inside their home at about 4:15 a.m. when they were forced to take shelter in their basement. The couple reported a tornado swept past their home at 2456 State Highway 23. Dozens of trees were knocked down in the immediate area, including a number which struck and damaged the home.
“It went really fast. We heard loud thunder and then this noise, like the sound of the ocean sweeping toward you, a surge. I look out the window and it looked really bad and I told my wife we needed to get in the basement now,” said Greg.
“People say it sounds like a freight train coming at you and that’s what we heard. Just a roaring noise over everything,” added Denise.
Water rescue teams from Greene, Cincinnatus and the county were called to residence on Pike Road in McDonough at approximately 6 a.m., after crews were alerted by a 9-1-1 call that the home was surrounded by water.
“They got the person out,” Jones reported.
Since that time, rescue crews have conducted a number of other water rescues in Plymouth, Pharsalia and the City of Norwich, including multiple calls on Prentice Street.
According to Beckwith, no injuries have been reported so far.
The Norwich City, Oxford and Greene school districts are all closed. Sherburne-Earlville schools were on a delayed opening.
According to Jones, more flooding is expected along the Canasawacta and Chenango Rivers as waters continue to rise.
More than 970 NYSEG customers are reportedly without power throughout the county.
Richard B. Decker, chairman of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors, issued a State of Emergency for the county at 7 a.m. A travel advisory is in effect for all roads within the county, and motorists are urged to exercise caution and avoid driving through stranding water.
Staff Writer Tyler Murphy contributed to this report.