Flash Flooding in New York, January 8, 1998

A band of heavy rain lifted northward from central Pennsylvania across the central southern tier and Finger Lakes regions of New York from the evening of the 7th into the pre-dawn hours of the 8th. An inch and a half to two inches of rain were common across northern sections of Steuben county. Heavy rainfall combined with snowmelt runoff to bring Tenmile creek out of its banks shortly after midnight on the 8th in the Avoca vicinity. Minor lowland flooding was the main consequence, with a couple of adjacent local roadways taking on water for a short time. Water levels receded back within bankfull around sunrise.

Heavy rainfall affected Oneida county from the evening of the 7th into the early morning hours of the 8th. Generally, 2 to 3 inches of rain fell within this time period. Substantial runoff from this rain combined with snowmelt due to warm temperatures to bring many creeks and streams out of their banks. In particular, problems arose from flooding of the Oriskany creek. Many homes and yards close to the creek took on water in the afternoon and early evening of the 8th. Fire departments from numerous townships were called on to pump water out of basements and first floor rooms. Several businesses in downtown Utica sustained water damage from poor drainage area flooding and water from backed up tributaries of the Mohawk river. In addition, roads were flooded out and closed throughout the county as saturated ground surfaces could not hold rapidly accumulating runoff. By mid evening, water levels in many sections of the county had receded and most roads were reopened.

Another batch of heavy rain lifted northeastward from Pennsylvania and affected New York's southern tier from late afternoon on the 8th until late that evening. Locally, 0.5 to 0.75 inches of rain fell within a 3 to 4 hour period. This was enough to re-aggravate flooding problems. In the town of Spencer, the Owl creek spilled over its banks late in the afternoon with nearly a foot of water covering some adjacent roadways. These roads were reopened late in the evening. Also, route 96 in Candor was closed due to high water conditions for a time in the evening. By midnight, all small streams and creeks were back within their banks.