Sullivan County on alert for flooding in Callicoon, Barryville, Beaverkill and Neversink rivers through Friday

Flooding fears aren't over in Sullivan County. The takeaway, according to a new alert on the county website, is that "the Delaware River at Callicoon and near Barryville, the Beaverkill River, and the Neversink River are either flooding or are expected to flood:"

COUNTY MANAGER FANSLAU ISSUES A FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE DELAWARE RIVER AT CALLICOON AND NEAR BARRYVILLLE UNTIL FRIDAY AFTERNOON; FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR BEAVER KILL RIVER AND NEVERSINK RIVER

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

(Monticello, NY - 4:00 PM) Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau has issued a Flash Flood Warning that is effective through Friday afternoon.

Fanslau said, “The National Weather Service (NSW) has issued a Flash Flood Warning in Sullivan County. The Delaware River at Callicoon and near Barryville, the Beaverkill River, and the Neversink River are either flooding or are expected to flood.

The Flood Warning for the Delaware River at Callicoon showed that at 2:30 PM Wednesday the stage was 11.7 feet, and the flood stage is 12.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. The river will rise above flood stage mid day Thursday, then crest between 12 and 13 feet Thursday evening. The river is expected to fall below flood stage Friday morning.

The Flood Warning for the Delaware River near Barryville showed that at 2:45 PM Wednesday the stage was 14.1 feet, and the flood stage is 17.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. The river will rise above flood stage Thursday evening, then crest between 17 and 18 feet Thursday night. The river is expected to fall below flood stage Friday morning.

The Flood Warning for the Neversink River above Barryville showed that at 10:30 AM Wednesday the stage was 13.2 feet, and the flood stage is 13.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. The river will continue to rise above flood stage to near 14.5 feet this evening. The river is expected to fall below flood stage around midnight tonight.

Residents are advised to not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely. Move to higher ground.

I strongly urge any resident who lives near a stream, creek or river to be prepared and alert as this storm progresses, and to take preventative measures to protect their property through sandbags, etc. Outdoor, moveable property should be secured, and indoor property should be put up in case of flooding in the home. Furthermore, in case of emergency, all residents in these areas should make preparations to vacate their home if conditions warrant, and are strongly urged to comply with any and all reasonable requests from law enforcement or emergency responders during an emergency.

County residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, are also urged to have enough flashlights and extra batteries, canned goods and bottled water for 48 hours, in case of power outage or emergency. Residents are encouraged to make arrangements to check on elderly neighbors, and arrange for pets to be housed either inside, or with proper shelter.

During the storm all County residents are urged to remain indoors and off roadways whenever possible. If residents must drive, they are advised to exercise extreme caution when driving through this storm, and to pay special attention not to drive through pooling or standing water. If there are flood conditions on a roadway, please do not travel through the water.

Sullivan County officials will be in contact with all towns, village and fire departments in the flood-prone areas, to ensure all precautionary measures are being taken, and implementing contingency plans in case of flooding. County officials will remain in contact with these towns, village and volunteer first-responders throughout the storm, as they monitor the situations in their own communities.

Should flooding continue in Sullivan County, residents and visitors are urged to visit the County website, www.co.sullivan.ny.us, for current news and information. All County offices will open for normal hours today.”