Rain totals near local records

FINGER LAKES--After weeks of what has seemed like rainstorms every other day, data related to seasonal precipitation shows an exceptionally wet July. Throughout the month public work departments have cleaned up and repaired flooding damage, while regional meteorologists have worked to track the extremely stagnant storms that have produced high winds, hail and a lot of localized rain.
"We were in the battle zone," said Michael Kistner, lead meteorologist at the Binghamton National Weather Service, adding, "They call it a blocking pattern... Weather patterns can get stagnant because the jet stream that usually carries them through tends to move further north and we're in the cusp here so there isn't a lot of strong flow to push it through."
While data on the rainfall in the area hasn't been fully analyzed yet, Kistner said for where data has been available has shown the wettest July on record.
"According to the Penn Yan Airport there has been 4.52 inches of rainfall in Penn Yan as of 20th," said Kistner. "Penn Yan Airport numbers show that the normal July is 3.39 inches of rain so we are already 1.13 above normal so far and that is just as of the 20th. We still have a full 10 days to calculate there."
However, with severe localized storms becoming increasingly impactful, it's not uncommon for residents with rain gauges to see numbers that far exceed the official observation totals.
In Yates County, there have been reports of tree limbs clogging streams and gullies and considerable flooding along roadways.
"The county and town road crews were out working diligently this last week to clear the debris to mitigate further flooding," said Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn.
In Schuyler, there were reports of flash flooding in the eastern part of the county and in Watkins Glen.
"This was most pronounced in the village, where the geography contributes to rapid flooding when we experience microburst storms," said County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. "Fortunately the water recedes quickly and the village and New York State Department of Transportation were immediately on scene and did a great job in cleaning up after the storm."
O'Hearn added that preventative measures already in place greatly reduced the flooding potential.
"The village has made a significant effort to improve and maintain drainage systems, which greatly mitigates the potential for extreme damage," O'Hearn said.
Along with local public works departments, it is also important for residents to do their part as well in helping to prevent flooding when a month like the current July hits.
"This is a good opportunity to remind residents that they can also assist in these efforts by keeping ditches and culverts on their properties clear and free of debris," said O'Hearn. "Most of the most severe events we have experienced in recent years have been the result of blockages created by debris that is washed into streams accumulating at a central point."
Flooding has been apparent throughout the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier, but local geography has major impacts on the storm outcome.
"A couple of days ago there was flooding in Schuyler but it is flatter there," said Kistner. "So what happens in those cases is you get in some urban areas [and there is] a lot of ponding."
However, in lower-lying areas near run-off streams the devastation can be quick and the floodwaters life-threatening.
With so many storms happening so often it has been one of the busiest seasons local meteorologists can remember.
"There has been quite a bit of flooding with more flash flood warnings this summer than I can remember any other time," said Kistner.
Part of the issue is that many of these thunderstorms can be incredibly localized, with inches of rain pouring on a small localized area and leaving areas only a few miles away sunny.
"Precipitation is very variable during these thunderstorms," Kistner added.
And the more it rains, the more saturated the ground gets, leaving little room for water to seep into the ground.
"It's gotten to the point that every thunderstorm warning will also result in a flood warning as well," Kistner stated.
The stagnation of the current weather patterns in the Finger Lakes is also being seen out west, only instead of wet and low pressure, they are seeing consistent high pressure with low humidity.