Wind and Flood Advisory Issued for Westchester County

The National Weather Service has issued a wind and flood advisory for Westchester County from 11:00 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday. The roads are slippery and drivers should use caution. Winds may gust up to 40 mph and rainfall amounts greater than six inches in some locations.

Given the current weather advisory the American Red Cross in Westchester County has issued a statement saying they have volunteers on stand by should they need to open shelters or assist during flood conditions.

Here is a flood safety checklist issues by the American Red Cross:

• If a flood is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
• Because standard homeowner insurance doesn't cover flooding, it's important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. information on flood insurance.
• You will need supplies of food and water
• Keep flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries handy.
• Have a first-aid kit, emergency blanket, sanitation and personal hygiene items, extra clothing and rain gear.
• In case your house gets flooded, and power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
• Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Contact your local or state public health department for specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area after a disaster as water may be contaminated.

If heavy rainfall causes additional outages or storm-related conditions such as flooded basements, NYSEG offers these tips for storm safety:

• Stay out of flooded basements because energized wiring or outlets below the water line may pose a hazard. Natural gas service in a flooded basement may also pose a danger. If your basement or home is in danger of flooding, contact NYSEG to turn off your electricity and/or natural gas service.
• Have at least one telephone that is not dependent on electricity. (Cordless phones won't work during a power interruption.)
• Turn off major appliances (electric water heaters, refrigerators and freezers) and sensitive electronic equipment (TVs, VCRs, DVD players, computers, stereos) to prevent overloading and possible damage when power is restored. Turning off this equipment may mean that you have to unplug it, turn off the circuit breaker or remove the fuse for the circuit in your home that provides power to this equipment.
• Leave one light switch "on" so you'll know when power has been restored.
• Emergency generators can be dangerous. If you use one, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never run an emergency generator indoors; operate generators only outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Click here to view our safety tips.
• Make sure your electric stove tops and/or ovens are off.  When the power is restored, the burners may begin heating up and could be a hazard.
• Don't use a natural gas or propane range to heat your home.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.
• State law requires that if the traffic lights or controls are out of service or malfunctioning when you approach an intersection, you must come to a stop as you would for a stop sign. You must then proceed according to the rules of right of way, unless you are directed to proceed by a traffic officer.

The forecast in Yorktown for the next few days is as follows:

This Afternoon: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 74. South wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. 

Tonight: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 62. Breezy, with a south wind 22 to 25 mph decreasing to between 11 and 14 mph. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible. 

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 9 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind between 10 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. 

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers before 9 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind between 8 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind between 7 and 11 mph. 

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. 

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. 

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.