Floods happen fast. Without warning, a routinely cold and snow-filled week can transform into a warm and rainy mess in a matter of hours, leading to serious flooding conditions.
Last week saw the results of that kind of dramatic temperature turn, with flood waters drowning out sidewalks, streets and many residents’ basements.
Andrew Johnson, director of the McKean County Emergency Management Agency, said over a dozen calls were made regarding flood damage to the homes and businesses of residents, with many more still being assessed as of Monday.
The cause behind the fast acting flood may seem rudimentary to many; rain water and warm weather melts snow causing rising water levels.
But, according to meteorologist Aaron Tyburski of the National Weather Service in State College, the true culprit was hiding in plain sight — high humidity levels.
“It’s been a little over 20 years since we’ve experienced such a high humidity level during this time of year,” Tyburski said. “The last time it happened, most of the state had to deal with flash flooding.”
It was back in January of 1996, when Pennsylvania had experienced an average of one foot of snow throughout the state with temperatures similarly low to what the local region has seen as of late.
“Almost overnight, humidity levels spiked to levels normally seen in early September,” Tyburski said. “Almost all of the snow melted throughout the state, causing a flood emergency statewide.”
Tyburski added that these kinds of events are impressive to meteorologists, as they are extremely rare.
“We’re not talking about a gradual build up,” he said. “It’s like going from Alaska to Florida in a few hours.”
As the last few days of the colder-than-normal temperatures pass, the area will see another drastic rise in temperature by the beginning of next week.
Tyburski explained that although another warm up is expected to hit the local area starting on Wednesday, the big difference will be its gradual progression.
“It’ll be a warm up that will go day by day, 5 or so degrees at a time,” he said.
Unlike with the previous warm up, which happened within 24 hours, the gradual warming expected to hit the region this week will be much easier to manage.
“We will see temperatures in the high 40s by Monday, but the gradual process will melt the snow gradually as well,” Tyburski said. “By Monday, their shouldn’t be much snow for humidity to melt into flood waters.”
He added that a potential rain storm on Monday may threaten the region with another flash flood warning, but it should not be as severe as last week.
In the event that flooding does occur, Tyburski stated that preemptive action is necessary for residents to remain safe and protect their belongings.
