Flood Warning Issued for Clinton and Essex Counties in Northern New York Due to Ice Jams

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Burlington, VT, has issued a Flood Warning for portions of northern New York. The alert is currently in effect and follows a transition from a previous River Flood Warning.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Clinton and Essex counties. Specific locations that will experience flooding include:

• Keeseville
• AuSable
• Chesterfield
• Peru
• Jay
• Ausable Chasm
• Clintonville
• Ausable Point

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to follow the safety mantra: “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Stay vigilant near riverbanks, as ice jam conditions can change very swiftly and without warning.

Expected Conditions

Flooding is being caused by a combination of rain, snowmelt, and ice jams. Emergency management reported heavy rain and ice movement past Ausable Forks. Two specific ice jams have been identified downstream in Clintonville and Keeseville. While these jams are not currently impacting structures directly, photographic evidence shows ice in close proximity to homes. Any sudden release of water could cause rapid flooding along the section of the Ausable River between Clintonville and Port Kent.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in place until 11:00 AM EDT on Monday, March 9.