Flooding in New York, January 24 to 27, 1999

The combination of locally heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused minor flooding to take place throughout the Susquehanna River Basin in central New York. Flooding was first observed along the Chenango and Tioughnioga Rivers in Chenango and Cortland counties during the pre-dawn hours on the 24th. Minor lowland flooding was generally experienced in these areas. Some temporary road closures were also needed along the Tioughnioga in Cortland. Along the main stem portion of the Susquehanna River, minor flooding also occurred from the headwater areas along the Unadilla River downstream through Bainbridge, Conklin, Vestal, Binghamton, and Waverly. In both Conklin and Waverly, adjacent yards and basements were flooded near the time of crest late in the evening on the 26th. An off-ramp of Interstate 88 also had to be closed for a short time earlier in the day on the 26th near Bainbridge. Otherwise, only minor lowland and flood plain impacts were noted. Waters gradually receded back under flood stage throughout the Susquehanna Basin from the evening of the 26th through the early morning hours of the 27th.