The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for southern Westchester County on Saturday, July 18, as heavy rainfall created dangerous flooding conditions on roadways and in low-lying areas across the region.
The warning represents a significant escalation from Friday's Flood Watch. A watch means conditions are favorable for flooding. A warning means dangerous flooding is occurring or imminent, and residents should take immediate protective action.
The NWS warning urged residents to avoid all unnecessary travel.
Between two and four inches of rain fell across the New York metro area by early Saturday afternoon, with rainfall rates reaching one to two inches per hour in some locations, according to the National Weather Service. The Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Westchester County and communities such as Rye, Harrison, and Rye Brook, was identified as one of the highest-risk zones for severe weather Saturday.
Saturday's storm system produced two rounds of severe weather. The first wave struck the metro area around midday. A second, more intense line of thunderstorms was expected to move across the region Saturday afternoon into the evening, according to NWS meteorologist Bill Goodman, who spoke to The New York Times on Saturday.
The NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook, issued at 4:55 p.m. Saturday, warned that storms moving through Northern and Southern Westchester could bring damaging wind gusts and the possibility of an isolated tornado into Saturday evening.
What residents should do:
- Never drive through flooded roadways. The NWS guidance is clear: Turn Around, Don't Drown.
- Stay away from flooded streets, streams, and storm drains.
- Be alert for rapidly changing conditions and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
- If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and find an alternate route.
- Call 911 in an emergency.
Residents can sign up for New York State weather and emergency alerts by texting 333111. The NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook indicates no additional hazardous weather is expected Sunday, July 19, through Friday, July 24, that would meet warning criteria.
