State of Emergency remains in effect

YATES COUNTY, 6:38 a.m. — A new rain storm that commenced at 3:15AM Friday morning is now causing creeks and streams to rise once again in many of the previously affected areas. A flash flood warning is in affect due to this NEW storm and at this time County Road 29 (Guyanoga Valley Road) has been closed back down near Branchport, NY by County Highway Dept. due to flooding conditions. Several other town and county roads are starting to flood again as well as parts of two state highways Rte 364 and 245.
 
Sheriff’s Traveler’s advisory for roadways and Keuka Lake remains in effect. The lake is about one foot above its norm at this time and with this new storm will likely rise higher. The lake has much debris floating in it from the storm. Drivers are cautioned that they may come upon barricades or roads that are only one lane so caution is advised.
 
Penn Yan School is closed for students but not for staff today.
 
Steady work by State, County Highway, Town Highway, and Village of Penn Yan Municipal crews have mitigated or temporarily repaired many roads, streets, culverts and driveways. Seven town roads remain closed from Wednesdays storm.
 
The village of Penn Yan has some streets with water flowing currently and the ARC of Yates facility on North Ave is experiencing flooding and sandbagging has commenced for that location. Inmates for the Yates County Jail filled over 800 sandbags yesterday and will continue that effort today. Penn Yan Police did make two arrests of persistent trespass violators of barricaded areas near the Elm Street flood destruction overnight.
 
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) advises not to drive your vehicle into areas where the water is covering a roadway as the water depth may be to great to allow a vehicle to safely operate.
 
The Living Well in Penn Yan continues to coordinate volunteers and the American Red Cross temporary shelter at the PY High School continues to operate for some whose homes are no longer habitable. OEM advises that NYS-DART teams made 228 home inspections in Penn Yan since Wednesday and 26 in the town of Jerusalem. 11 homes in the village of Penn Yan were classified severely damaged and 2 in Jerusalem. YC Public Health and Yates-Steuben Pro-Action have provided much assistance. Yates County Soil and Water have been of great assistance in assessments. The state of New York via the DOT, SP’s, and emergency management are providing added resources to address numerous issues. The Lt. Governor Duffy visited some of the flood stricken areas yesterday.
 
The new storm is expected to steady rain most of the day Friday. Once again the State of Emergency remains in effect as does the Travelers advisory for the affected areas, especially the Town of Jerusalem at this time. Extra Sheriff’s Deputies and PY police aided by extra Troopers and additional 911 dispatchers are on duty. Please call 911 to report all emergencies.