Heavy rains flood scores of basements, close roads across Onondaga County; more rain falling

Camillus flooding, Aug.19, 2021

More than a foot of water flood Horan Road in Camillus Thursday morning, Aug. 18, 2021.Photo by Camillus Police Department

Onondaga County, N.Y. – Emergency personnel across Onondaga County are swamped with scores of flooded basements and are closing many roads due to flooding this morning.

More than 20 fire and police departments have been responding to the calls overnight and this morning.

Roads have been closed in many towns in Onondaga County, according to police departments and NY Alert. Marcellus appeared particularly hard hit with several roads in the town impassable, according to National Weather Service reports.

A foot of water covered Horan Road in the town of Camillus at 6 a.m., and residents were urged to seek other routes. Route 41 in Homer was closed due to flood and a debris jam.

Route 290 between Clemons Road and Minoa Road in Manlius is closed, according to New York alerts. Route 174 in Marcellus was closed for five hours, reopening just before 8 a.m.

In Syracuse, flooding has closed State Fair Boulevard from West Genesee Street to Hiawatha Boulevard, according to the city Department of Public Works.

Water problems have been reported in Solvay, Liverpool, Cicero, Manlius, Marcellus, Skaneateles, Howlett Hill, Elbridge, Geddes, Minoa, Syracuse, Onondaga Hill, Mottville, Camillus, Otisco, Brewerton, North Syracuse, Lyncourt, Jordan, Lafayette, Pompey Hill, Taunton, Tully and Baldwinsville.

Flooding in Marcellus

Flood waters rush over South Street Road, (Route 174) near Nightingale Mills in the town of Marcellus.

The Baldwinsville fire department has responded to more than 10 reports of flooded basements, according to its Facebook page. The department urged residents to be patient as they work quickly to respond to numerous calls.

The Tully wastewater treatment plant almost flooded again this morning due to the additional rain overnight, according to the village Facebook page. As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Tully has received 5.68 inches of rain in 48 hours, according to the New York State Mesonet network.

Tully was hit by 3.9 inches of rain Wednesday, the most of any of Mesonet’s 126 automated weather stations. The plant flooded Wednesday, causing the mayor to declare a state of emergency.

The creek flooded again this morning but the water did not reach the plant, Mayor Melissa Flint-Morgan said.

Oneida, Oswego and Cayuga counties were also hit by heavy rains and have roads closed due to flooding. Cayuga County has issued a travel advisory urging residents to avoid any unnecessary travel, according to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s office.

Police and sheriff departments are reminding residents to never drive through flooded roads and to seek alternative routes.

Flash Flood Watches remain in effect for Onondaga County and Oswego County until noon Thursday.

Rt. 290, Manlius closed

Water rushes over a section of Rt. 290 in Manlius Thursday morning, Aug. 19, 2021. The road was closed to traffic due to the flooding.Steven Billmyer | sbillmyer@syracuse.com

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.

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