Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response is advising residents to be aware of the potential for flooding. According to the National Weather Service (Albany office), Dutchess County is expected to be impacted by a rain event forecasted to begin late this evening. Rain fall is expected to be steady throughout the overnight hours into Tuesday. Heaviest rain is expected during the late morning and into the afternoon, possibly into the evening hours. The storm has the potential to produce in excess of 2 inches of rain and should move out of the area by Wednesday afternoon.
“We are advising residents whose homes and businesses are prone to flooding to take the necessary precautions to minimize any adverse impact due to the heavy rain,” said Emergency Response Coordinator John Murphy. “The weather is difficult to predict, but it is best to err on the side of caution and take some simple steps to prevent possible flooding.”
Tips to minimize the impact of heavy rain and possible flooding include:
• Keep drains clear of leaves, snow, ice and other debris.
• Ensure that drainpipes are not obstructed.
• Remove items stored in areas such as basements or sheds where flooding may have occurred in the past.
Heavy rains and flooding can be a problem for drivers, too. Residents are urged to exercise caution and heed the following travel advice to safely navigate wet roads:
• Budget extra travel time to avoid being marooned on flooded roads.
• Make sure you have enough fuel for your car.
• Watch for areas where rivers or streams may suddenly rise and flood, such as highway dips, bridges, and low areas.
• DO NOT attempt to drive over a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
A complete checklist with travel tips, flood prevention tips and how to deal with flooding is available on the Department of Emergency’s Response webpage at www.dutchessny.gov.
Residents can log on http://www.erh.noaa.gov/aly/ for the most up-to-date weather information and advisories from the Albany office of the National Weather Service.