Governor Cuomo Warns Public to Prepare for Potential Ice Jam Flooding as Warm Temperatures Will

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Governor Cuomo Warns Public to Prepare for Potential Ice Jam Flooding as Warm Temperatures Will Blanket the State


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today urged New Yorkers to prepare for possible ice jam flooding as temperatures across the state will rise this week and throughout the upcoming spring season. At Governor Cuomo's direction, State agencies are monitoring areas that typically experience ice jam formations and response assets are ready and available to assist local governments in preventing and mitigating flooding and ice jam damage.

"This is the time of year when a spate of rising temperatures can dislodge ice jams on rivers and streams, causing flooding for local communities and damaging homes and property," Governor Cuomo said. "While ice jam flooding is hard to predict with much precision, our state agencies are monitoring New York's problematic areas and preparing assets to assist local governments in case of a major event."

Most locations across the state will see the highest temperatures of the year as warm air will push in on Wednesday and last until Friday. Highs will range from the high 50s to low 60s across much of the state over the three-day period. Meteorologists anticipate that the melting snow could reach rainfall equivalents ranging from 1 to 3 inches in localized areas, and a storm is expected to bring rain across much of the state late Thursday into Friday.

Local governments should contact the Department of Environmental Conservation for assistance with permits necessary to do work removing ice jams. DEC is working in coordination with the Department of Transportation, which has begun deploying excavators throughout the State to break up any potential ice jams as temperatures rise. For equipment requests and other assistance, local governments should contact their county emergency manager who processes requests through the New York Responds system. Residents in areas prone to ice jam flooding should take precautions and monitor local weather forecasts for changing conditions.

Read more: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-warns-public-prepare-potential-ice-jam-flooding-warm-temperatures-will-blanket