A line of heavy downpours and thunderstorms will be crossing many sections of Upstate and Central New York late Sunday afternoon into early evening. While many spots that receive thunderstorms should see downpours, lightning and thunder, be on the alert for WARNINGS for danger.
A severe thunderstorm WARNING would indicate that a particular thunderstorm will be much more likely to create damaging wind and hail within the warned area!
A flash flood WARNING means that rapid life-threatening flooding is occurring or will soon begin in your area. You need to take action immediately to protect life and property.
A flood ADVISORY means that excessive water runoff from heavy rain will cause small creeks and streams to rise. Expect some localized minor flooding in poor drainage areas, especially in low-lying spots and underpasses. Ponding of water will likely occur on some highways and streets.
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Here are the latest ALERTS for much of upstate & CNY:
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Here are the latest ALERTS for the immediate CNY area:
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What does a “severe thunderstorm” mean?:
–A severe thunderstorm contains damaging winds of at least 58 MPH and/or contains quarter-sized hail or larger.
–These types of wind and/or hail damage would cause property damage and the potential for trees and wires to come down.
–Even if thunderstorms do not become severe, the power may go out if lightning strikes hit poles or power substations.
What does a “Severe Thunderstorm WARNING” mean?:
–A severe thunderstorm WARNING means that there is imminent danger for large hail, damaging winds, lightning and torrential rain in the path of the strongest part of the storm.
–Severe winds are defined by 58+ MPH wind.
What happens if an “EAS” alert goes off on my phone for a “Severe Thunderstorm WARNING”?:
–These types of warnings can cause even heavier and potentially more widespread damage.
–Destructive wind damage will occur with 80+ MPH wind.
–An Emergency Alert will go off on your phone and TV if this is issued.
–Severe hail is defined as quarter sized hail.
–Destructive hail damage is defined as baseball sized hail.
–An Emergency Alert will go off on your phone and TV if this is issued.
–You should seek shelter immediately.
If your area has a severe thunderstorm warning, here is what you should do:
–If you are outdoors, get inside your home, a strong building, or in your car. If there is no building nearby, your best protection is in a cave or ditch. Boaters should head to shore immediately.
–When indoors, go to an interior room on the lowest level. Stay away from windows and doors. Do not use electrical appliances. Do not use the telephone, except in an emergency.
–If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road until the storm passes. Heavy rain with any thunderstorm can flood roads quickly. Never try to drive through an area where water covers the road, even if you think it is shallow. This water may sweep your vehicle away.
–Make sure you have fresh batteries on hand and several replacements so you are able to use flashlights often.
–Make sure to keep your cell phone charge up throughout the day in case you are unable to charge it later.
–Keep a fresh cell phone bank/block on hand and charged up in case you do need to recharge your cellphone.
What does a “Tornado WARNING” mean?:
–A tornado WARNING means there is imminent danger for serious weather to approach your area.
–In addition to damaging winds, lightning, torrential rain and hail, there is the potential for a tornado in the path of the strongest part of the storm.
–A tornado WARNING is issued when Doppler radar shows a developing tornado, or a when tornado has been sighted by weather spotters, county emergency officials, police, or the public.
–The WARNING means a tornado could move through your county very soon, so you need to take immediate action to protect your life and property. You should seek shelter immediately.
If your area has a Tornado WARNING, here is what you should do:
–Remain calm but take immediate action.
–If you are at home or in a small building, the safest place is a basement. If no basement is available, go to an interior room on the lowest floor. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
–If you are in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows.
–If you are in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use the elevator, use the stairs instead. Stay away from windows
–If in mobile homes or vehicles, evacuate them and get inside a substantial shelter. Tornados can easily toss and destroy these structures.
–If outside with no shelter available, lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands
–Do not go outside to your car. If driving, do not seek shelter under a highway overpass
–Make sure you have fresh batteries on hand and several replacements so you are able to use flashlights often.|
–Make sure to keep your cell phone charge up throughout the day in case you are unable to charge it later.
–Keep a fresh cell phone bank/block on hand and charged up in case you do need to recharge your cellphone.
What does a “Severe Thunderstorm WATCH” mean?:
–A severe thunderstorm WATCH is issued to alert you to the possibility that thunderstorms containing damaging winds of 58 mph or higher and/or large hail of 1” in diameter or bigger may develop at some point during the next several hours.
–A WATCH does NOT MEAN severe weather is occurring or is about to occur shortly, but you should be paying even more attention.
–A WARNING does MEAN severe weather is imminent or about to happen.
–Local National Weather Service offices will be issuing WARNINGS for imminent danger.
You should download the CNYCentral Weather Authority App so you know EXACTLY when Severe Thunderstorm WARNINGS are issued for imminent danger.
Click here to download the Weather Authority App.
If your area has a severe thunderstorm watch, here is what you should do:
–Go about your normal activities, but be aware of the possibility of severe weather developing.
–Keep an eye on Interactive Doppler and Triple Doppler radars on CNYcentral.com.
–Keep your phone with your CNYcentral mobile app turned on so if warnings are issued you will know.
–Periodically check NBC3, CBS5 and CW6 for updates on the weather and possible warnings.
–Plan how to get to a safe place quickly if a warning is issued for your area or if severe weather is observed where you are.
–Make sure you have fresh batteries on hand and several replacements so you are able to use flashlights often.
–Make sure to keep your cell phone charge up throughout the day in case you are unable to charge it later.|
–Keep a fresh cell phone bank/block on hand and charged up in case you do need to recharge your cellphone.
A Flash Flood WARNING means that rapid life-threatening flooding is occurring or will soon begin in your area. You need to take action immediately to protect life and property.
If your area has a flash flood warning, here is what you should do:
–Move to higher ground immediately and get out of the danger area.
–Do not attempt to cross swiftly flowing waters
–Do not attempt to cross waters of unknown depth by foot, car, truck, or sports utility vehicle.
–It only takes a few inches of swiftly flowing water to carry vehicles away.
–If your car stalls in a flooded or low-lying area, abandon it immediately.
–Turn around, don’t drown. Find an alternative route.
A Flood ADVISORY means that excessive water runoff from heavy rain will cause small creeks and streams to rise. Expect some localized minor flooding in poor drainage areas, especially in low-lying spots and underpasses. Ponding of water will likely occur on some highways and streets.
If your area has an urban and small stream flood advisory, here is what you should do:
–Slow down! Ponding of water on highways can cause vehicles to hydroplane and veer out of control.
–Do not attempt to cross waters of unknown depth by foot, car, truck, or sports utility vehicle. Just one foot of water can carry vehicles away.
–If your car stalls in a flooded or low-lying area, abandon it immediately.
–Turn around, don’t drown. Find an alternative route.
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