The Latest Update on Sandy for the Albany Area

We're going to keep you updated every time there is a change in information or new information about Sandy as she approaches the Albany area. Please keep checking back and refreshing the page to display the latest information. 

[UPDATED 10/19 @11PM]

The lastest forecast calls for one more blast of high winds tonight in the overnight hours with some more patches of rain. There is still a chance of trees coming down, wires coming down, and danger. Winds can get up to 50-55 MPH. There will be closings in the morning and possibly some roads that are impassable. We'll update you then! Stay safe!

[UPDATED 10/19 @11AM]

This storm is a big one that is expected to bring a considerable amount of wind to the Albany area, but not a tremendous amount of rain for most locations. If you live on a hill or mountain that faces east, you will have more rain than other locations. There might even be moments of clear skies between now and this evening!

Sandy is a very different storm from Irene. When Irene came through we were on the left side of the storm track and that resulted in all of the rain and flooding. This time we are on the right side of the track which is where we end up with more wind. Some locations will receive considerable rain while others will receive next to none. Just because it’s not raining in Clifton Park doesn’t mean it isn’t pouring in the hill towns.

As it stands the threat for flooding is minor flooding. If flooding occurs it will be in the Green Mountains in Bennington County, the Berkshires, and the Catskills. There may be some minor flooding of the Hudson River during high tide. Precautions have been taken with the Schoharie Creek - the reservoir water level was lowered and that will help to prevent flooding.

The storm will be pounding the New York City metropolitan area for several hours before reaching the Albany area. We should expect to see the winds and rain starting late this afternoon and into the evening.

What to expect:

We are going to have a big issue with wind. There will be scattered and widespread power outages, all depending on where trees and limbs happen to be brought down.

The wind speeds will be 35-45 by noon, 50-65 by 5PM, and overnight in the 40-50 range.

There is a high wind warning for our entire coverage area (counties listed below) as well as a Flood Watch for all of the same locations. Note that a watch is not as severe as a warning.

Impacted areas:

Northern Litchfield-Southern Litchfield-Northern Berkshire-
Southern Berkshire-Northern Herkimer-Hamilton-Southern Herkimer-
Southern Fulton-Montgomery-Northern Saratoga-Northern Warren-
Northern Washington-Schoharie-Western Schenectady-
Eastern Schenectady-Southern Saratoga-Western Albany-
Eastern Albany-Western Rensselaer-Eastern Rensselaer-
Western Greene-Eastern Greene-Western Columbia-Eastern Columbia-
Western Ulster-Eastern Ulster-Western Dutchess-Eastern Dutchess-
Northern Fulton-Southeast Warren-Southern Washington-Bennington-
Western Windham-Eastern Windham-
Including The Cities Of...Torrington...Oakville...New Milford...
Terryville...Pittsfield...North Adams...Great Barrington...Lee...
Lenox...Housatonic...Atwell...Big Moose...Eagle Bay...Mckeever...
Nobleboro...Northwood...Old Forge...Speculator...Ilion...
Herkimer...Little Falls...Mohawk...Frankfort...Dolgeville...
Gloversville...Johnstown...Amsterdam...Wellsville...
Saratoga Springs...Warrensburg...Whitehall...Granville...
Cobleskill...Middleburgh...Delanson...Esperance...Duanesburg...
Schenectady...Rotterdam...Ballston Spa...Mechanicville...
Waterford...Altamont...Albany...Troy...Hoosick Falls...Hunter...
Tannersville...Windham...Catskill...Coxsackie...Athens...Cairo...
Jefferson Heights...Hudson...Chatham...Sundown...Ellenville...
Woodstock...West Hurley...Kerhonkson...Napanoch...Phoenicia...
Kingston...New Paltz...Poughkeepsie...Beacon...Arlington...
Pawling...Dover Plains...Millbrook...Pine Plains...Amenia...
Millerton...Northville...Mayfield...Glens Falls...
West Glens Falls...Hudson Falls...Fort Edward...Cambridge...
Greenwich...Bennington...Jacksonville...Newfane...Brattleboro...
West Brattleboro...Bellows Falls