Flood Warning Issued for Black River at Watertown Affecting Lewis and Jefferson Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Buffalo NY has issued a Flood Warning for the Black River at Watertown. This alert was issued on March 11 at 2:15 PM EDT and remains in effect from late tonight until further notice. The alert is classified as a severe event with likely certainty.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following geographic regions in New York:

• Jefferson County
• Lewis County
• Black River at Watertown

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area should take the following safety actions:

• Turn around, don’t drown: Never attempt to drive through flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
• Exercise caution: Use extreme care when walking near riverbanks.
• Stay informed: Monitor local updates. The next official statement from the NWS is expected by 3:00 AM EDT.

Expected Conditions

Minor flooding is forecast for the Black River. Key hydrological details include:

• Flood Stage: 10.0 feet.
• Current Status: As of 12:30 PM EDT Wednesday, the river stage was 8.29 feet (Bankfull stage is 8.0 feet).
• Forecast Crest: The river is expected to rise above flood stage late tonight, reaching a crest of 11.4 feet early tomorrow afternoon. A second crest of at least 11.5 feet is anticipated on Saturday, with additional rises possible later this weekend.
• Impacts: At the 10.0-foot flood stage, farmland flooding begins in the area known as the Flats, and some roads will be flooded. Minor damages are expected for riverfront commercial properties in Dexter.

Timeline

• Onset: The river is expected to rise above flood stage starting at approximately 3:23 AM EDT on March 12.
• Duration: The warning remains in effect until further notice. Significant crests are expected Thursday afternoon and again on Saturday.