More heavy rain is in the forecast today, even as many are still recovering from last week's devestating floods. The National Weather Service says up to half an inch of additional accumulation is possible.
For the past week, the Mohawk Valley has struggled to stand up straight against the pounding current of seemingly non-stop rains and flooding, causing millions of dollars worth of damage to infrastructures, businesses and homes.
As of Monday morning, there was a flash flood warning in effect for the Utica area until Monday evening, and a flash flood watch in effect for Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Otsego counties through Tuesday evening.
The day's forecast called for heavy rain and possible thunderstorms, with up to half an inch of additional accumulation possible.
Politicians, from local mayors to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, have held press conferences, begging for residents' patience while local, state and federal agencies stretch thin with the prospect of saving 15 counties statewide.
"While I know you are all experiencing an amount of heartache and difficulty … we're asking for patience and understanding," said Max Smith, acting mayor for the Oneida - a city that has shut down dozens of flood-soaked roads - during a press conference on Sunday afternoon.
Flooding devastated the Mohawk Valley town of Fort Plain on Friday, damaging 70 buildings and sweeping away a mobile home with Ethel Healy, an 87-year-old woman, inside. Searchers continued to look for her body on Sunday. Cuomo said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in the area in a few days, assisting residents in applying for federal assistance.
In Oneida, 150 homes were evacuated when Oneida Creek jumped its banks Friday. Police and firefighters continued to take people to their homes by boat Sunday to get medications and pets. Smith said a shuttle service was being set up to provide transportation for people who can't get to their flooded vehicles.
At a news conference Sunday, Smith debunked rumors that the levee had broken. City engineer Jon Rauscher said a clear-cutting process from last year - clearing out brush and roots from the dike - possibly saved the walls of the levee from further damage.
Moderate flooding is expected to continue along the Mohawk and Susquehanna rivers through Monday morning. The National Weather Service has posted flood warnings for those rivers.