Flood Warning Issued for Oneida County as Oriskany Creek Overflows; NY-5 Closed

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a Flood Warning for Oneida County in central New York. The alert was issued following reports of flooding along Oriskany Creek caused by a combination of recent rainfall and snowmelt.

Affected Areas

The warning primarily affects Oneida County. Specific locations experiencing flooding include Clark Mills and Kirkland. The New York Department of Transportation (DOT) has confirmed that Oriskany Creek is flooding onto NY-5, resulting in the closure of the highway in both directions near Kirkland and Clark Mills.

What You Should Do

Local authorities and the NWS advise residents to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles. Motorists should avoid the area near NY-5 and seek alternative routes. Do not attempt to drive through water of unknown depth.

Expected Conditions

Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying or flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Oriskany Creek has already exceeded its banks in several locations, impacting local infrastructure and transportation routes.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in place until 7:30 PM EDT on Sunday, March 8, 2026.