Irene expected to bring rain, high winds to Southern Tier
NORWICH – Weather experts and emergency management officials are unsure how big of an impact Hurricane Irene will have on the Southern Tier, but they are preparing for every contingency.
Chenango could be feeling the leading edge of the slow-moving tropical storm system as early as Saturday evening. According to Emergency Management Officer Matt Beckwith, that’s when the first rain from the hurricane is expected to reach the region. The rain and wind associated with the storm will pick up into Sunday, peaking in the afternoon or evening, he explained. By Monday, it will have departed the region.
But just how much rain and wind, as well as the potential for power outages and flooding, depends on whether Hurricane Irene veers to the Northeast, or continues in a more northward direction.
According to Beckwith, the current forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches of rain, with greater rainfall in some individual areas. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 miles an hour are expected, with gusts up to 40 and 50 miles during the height of the storm.
However, the county official warned that other models put the storms projected path further west, which would mean more rain, higher winds and an increased chance of flooding for Chenango and surrounding counties. One scenario indicates the region could be in for 6 to 10 inches of rain as a result of the slow-moving tropical storm system.
Conversely, other scenarios predict the storm will plot further out to sea, leaving Chenango to enjoy blue skies this weekend.
According to Beckwith, the uncertainty lies in how Irene will interact with other fronts moving in from the west and north.
He and his counterparts throughout the region have been receiving frequent updates from the National Weather Service, and will continue to do so throughout the day Friday to gain a better understanding of the hurricane’s potential impact on the Southern Tier.
NYSEG issued its own warnings regarding the impending storm. In a press release issued yesterday, the utility company reminded customers to stay away from downed power lines, out of flooded basements and to exercise caution when using emergency generators. Power interruptions can be reported by calling (800) 572-1131.
Chenango could be feeling the leading edge of the slow-moving tropical storm system as early as Saturday evening. According to Emergency Management Officer Matt Beckwith, that’s when the first rain from the hurricane is expected to reach the region. The rain and wind associated with the storm will pick up into Sunday, peaking in the afternoon or evening, he explained. By Monday, it will have departed the region.
But just how much rain and wind, as well as the potential for power outages and flooding, depends on whether Hurricane Irene veers to the Northeast, or continues in a more northward direction.
According to Beckwith, the current forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches of rain, with greater rainfall in some individual areas. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 miles an hour are expected, with gusts up to 40 and 50 miles during the height of the storm.
However, the county official warned that other models put the storms projected path further west, which would mean more rain, higher winds and an increased chance of flooding for Chenango and surrounding counties. One scenario indicates the region could be in for 6 to 10 inches of rain as a result of the slow-moving tropical storm system.
Conversely, other scenarios predict the storm will plot further out to sea, leaving Chenango to enjoy blue skies this weekend.
According to Beckwith, the uncertainty lies in how Irene will interact with other fronts moving in from the west and north.
He and his counterparts throughout the region have been receiving frequent updates from the National Weather Service, and will continue to do so throughout the day Friday to gain a better understanding of the hurricane’s potential impact on the Southern Tier.
NYSEG issued its own warnings regarding the impending storm. In a press release issued yesterday, the utility company reminded customers to stay away from downed power lines, out of flooded basements and to exercise caution when using emergency generators. Power interruptions can be reported by calling (800) 572-1131.
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