The National Weather Service declared a flood warning for Montgomery County on Wednesday at 2:55 p.m., which would last until Thursday at 12:48 a.m.
It says, “Minor flooding is forecast for Canajoharie Creek near Canajoharie.”
“At 8.0 feet, the creek is out of its banks and floods nearby properties,” the weather agency states.
Deciphering advisories, watches, and warnings: Understanding weather alerts
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Flash flood warning: Take action!
When a flash flood is approaching or already happening, a warning is sent. Get to high ground right away if you’re in a flood-prone location. A flash flood is a quick, intense flood that can form in a matter of minutes to hours. Even in places that don’t get rain right away, flash floods can happen.
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Flood warning: Take action!
When flooding is expected or is happening, a flood warning is issued.
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Flood advisory: Be aware:
When flooding is not predicted to become severe enough to warrant a warning, a flood advisory is issued. However, it still has the potential to be extremely inconvenient and, if careless, to result in circumstances that endanger life and/or property.
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Flood watch: Be prepared:
When the weather is conducive to flooding, a flood watch is issued. Although it doesn’t ensure flooding will happen, it does indicate that it is a potential.
Keeping safe during floods: Expert advice from the weather service
Knowing and adhering to the weather service’s flood safety recommendations can be extremely helpful when camping in low-lying areas or in places that are prone to flooding:
Look for higher ground.
Moving to higher ground should be your first course of action if you’re camping in a low-lying location or in an area that is prone to flooding.
Observe evacuation directives:
Respond quickly to any evacuation orders issued by local authorities. Secure your home by locking it before you leave.
Cut off appliances and utilities:
Disconnect your appliances and utilities if you have the time. By doing this, the possibility of electrical risks during floods is decreased.
Avoid drowned places and flooding basements:
Stay away from rooms with electrical outlets or cords that are submerged in water or basements. Electrical accident prevention is essential.
Quickly leave for your safety:
Evacuate right away if you see sparks or hear popping, crackling, snapping, or buzzing noises. Avoid going into water that might be electrically charged.
Avoid going on foot in floodwaters:
Even if floodwaters seem shallow, you should never try to go over them. You can be swept off your feet with power by just 6 inches of swift-moving water.
If you’re stuck, look for high ground:
If you find yourself caught by flowing water, move to the highest spot you can and dial 911 to reach rescue personnel.
Flooding is more likely to occur during times of heavy rainfall, especially in low-lying and flood-prone locations. Driving through any water on the road, even if it appears to be shallow, must be avoided. The weather service claims that 12 inches of flowing water is enough to sweep away the majority of autos. Put your safety first by being aware and ready.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
Flooding and dangerous driving conditions increase when heavy rain starts. Being ready is crucial, regardless of the duration of the rainfall or the rate of runoff. The weather service has provided the following important safety advice to help you stay safe during periods of severe rain:
Watch out for flooding rivers:
Avoid parking or strolling close to drainage ditches or culverts during periods of intense rain, since the swift-moving water can be quite dangerous.
Keep your distances from other vehicles safe:
In heavy rain, the two-second rule of following distance is your friend. To guarantee safe spacing under unfavorable circumstances, increase it to four seconds.
Reduce your speed and drive carefully:
It’s crucial to slow down on wet roads. To avoid sliding, reduce the accelerator gradually and don’t brake suddenly.
Pick your lane carefully:
On multilane highways, stay in the middle lanes to reduce the chance of hydroplaning because water tends to pool in the outer lanes.
Visibility is important.
Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can hide cars in blind zones, so be cautious.
Be cautious on slick roads:
During the first half hour after the rain starts, exercise additional caution. The road becomes slick when water combines with dirt and oil on the surface.
Stay a safe distance away from big cars:
Avoid following buses or big vehicles too closely. Their big tires produce a mist that blurs your eyesight. Additionally, be cautious when passing them; if you have to, pass swiftly and securely.
Be mindful of your wipers:
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Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
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When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
You may greatly lower dangers and protect your health when it rains a lot by adhering to these safety precautions. To ensure a safe and sound voyage, keep yourself updated on weather conditions and follow local authorities’ instructions.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
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