ORISKANY -- 6:00pm Update:
Several roads around Whitesboro and Oriskany were closed on Friday after rising waters washed out the roadways. Oneida County's Deputy Director of emergency services says some roads look safe but the ground underneath is not.
"The highway crews, state and town are out trying to fix up some of the culverts and shoulder areas and assessing what other areas may have had damage done by the water," said Gerald Pedersen.
After a wet spring, the ground is saturated in Oneida County so it doesn't take much to undermine roadways.
Oneida County Emergency Services says most roadblocks should be removed today but they are concerned that more rain in the days ahead could further damage already weakened roadways.
1:37 p.m. Update:
According to CNYcentral's Alex Dunbar, several roads in the Oriskany area remain closed.
The roads still closed include: Valley Road, Lovers Lane, & portions of Rt. 169 in Oriskany. Officials from Oneida Co. Emergency Services says some of those roads may open before the end of the day - others will likely remain closed through the weekend.
Previous Coverage:
The water rushing over Utica Street in Oriskany was so powerful it completely wiped out a guard rail, washing out the side of the road too.
"It was coming over the road, i'd say about 12 inches," said Steven Anderson "It came up quick."
"In all my years I've never seen this, it is our second wettest April on record. The rain just keeps on coming," said Whitestown Supervisor Charles Gibbs.
Supervisor Gibbs says at least 5 roads in the area are partially closed off Thursday night and says you'll still see cones up until the damage is fixed, and the roads are safe to drive on again. Some of the storm's damage was so extensive that drivers passing by were stopping to take pictures.
Just a few blocks away front yards looked more like rivers, leaving neighbors with a lot of wet work to do.
"It's a big mess," said Douglas Hilts. "It looked like a flood coming down the driveway."
On Cider Road in Oriskany, neighbors were clearing water out of their home and driveway, one trash can at a time. And as homeowners clean up the mess mother nature left behind, town officials say they'll be out surveying the damage.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Oneida County this afternoon. It expired at 6:45pm.
A section of the Thruway was closed briefly in Whitestown between Exits 31 and 32 because of water on the roadway. The water has been cleared. There was also a report of a mudslide in Oriskany across Valley Road. One foot of water covered roads at Griffiss Airbase.
You can forecast information and Interactive Doppler Radar anytime here on CNYcentral.com.
