WOLCOTT – A flood watch was issued March 9 at 1:52 p.m., until March 12 at 2 p.m., by the National Weather Service, Burlington. Warm temperatures may melt snowpack and increase river flows. Flooding caused by a combination of rain, snowmelt and ice jams is possible for all of northern New York and northern and central Vermont.
Excessive runoff from snowmelt and rainfall will cause sharp river rises, likely resulting in river ice break up. Ice jams will be possible, along with rapid onset flooding. Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations will be possible and creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.
Mild temperatures will lead to rapid rises on area rivers through early this week. This will be followed by widespread rain Wednesday into Thursday. Rising rivers will cause river ice to break up and flow, potentially resulting in ice jams and associated flooding. As rain moves in Wednesday, the threat will turn more toward open water flooding for those waterways that have lost their ice. Any open water flooding will likely persist through Thursday. Monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings at http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
