PRESS RELEASE: WARREN COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES WARNS OF POTENTIAL ICE JAMS, FLOODING
WARREN COUNTY, NY — Warren County Office of Emergency Services is advising county residents of the potential for flooding Thursday (02/17/22) and Friday (02/18/22) as rain and warm temperatures raise ice jam risks on local streams and rivers.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Warren County and adjacent counties from 1 p.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. More than inch of a rain is possible, which coupled with melting snow and frozen ground that will increase runoff, could cause flooding and ice jams.
Warren County Office of Emergency Services staff have been working with Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District and Warren County Sheriff‘s Office personnel to monitor the ice pack on ice jam–prone waters in Warren County, such as the Hudson and Schroon rivers.
Warren County Office of Emergency Services Director Ann Marie Mason said those living along streams and rivers should be particularly cognizant of the flooding potential.
“Ice jams can cause rapid flooding in areas that haven’t previously been flood–prone as large volumes of water back up,” Mason explained.
Residents living in flood–prone areas should monitor weather alerts and follow Ready.gov flooding–guidance and be prepared to evacuate quickly.
Those who encounter flooded roads should not drive through flooded areas. Research has found that more than half of all flood–related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water, as just 12 inches of flowing water can wash away a vehicle. The next highest percentage of flood–related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.
—Don Lehman, Director of Public Affairs for Warren County