CHENANGO COUNTY – A second day of heavy rainfall led to more flash flooding and road damage in Greene, Coventry, Bainbridge and Afton.

“The whole southern part of the county got hit,” reported Chenango County Emergency Management Officer Matthew Beckwith.

According to Beckwith, between three and four inches of rain fell in that region in less than an hour. A second wave of rain hit shortly after 8 p.m., adding up to another 3/4” or more in some areas.

In Greene, the first reports of flooding came in just after 5 p.m., when it was reported that portions of Cummings and Indian Brook Road had been washed out.

In the Village of Greene, runoff from across State Hwy 12 caused flooding on several village byways, most significantly South Canal, Birdsall, Willard, and Genesee streets. The normally shallow Birdsall Creek rose several feet, washing away at its banks and sending flood waters over bridges at Birdsall Street and North Canal

According to Greene Fire Chief Dan Montgomery, several houses on Birdsall and S. Canal were evacuated. A number of basements and yards were flooded throughout the village.

The waters had receded significantly by 7 p.m., when all but Willard and S. Canal Streets were reopened. As they receded, however, they left silt, tree limbs, and other debris in their wake.

Flood waters also caused damage and closures to roads elsewhere in the Town of Greene. According to Greene First Assistant Chief Mark Colwell, portions of Lower Genegantslet Road (CR 2), Page Brook Road (CR 9) and Cloverdale Road (CR 1) had all been washed out in sections.

“There’s a 40-foot opening where the culvert used to be,” he said, referring to CR 1, near the Broome County line.

It was the second wave of rain that caused concern in Bainbridge, which had already suffered flash flooding the previous day.

According to Beckwith, emergency crews performed a rescue at a home on CR 235.

“He was sitting on the roof when we got there,” the EMO said, referring to the homeowner.

Conditions were deemed unsafe to put the county’s water rescue boat in the water, so responders were forced to wait for the water to recede slightly before attempting the rescue.

In Afton, a bridge washout has caused the closure of State Hwy. 7, south of the village.

According to Beckwith, the flooding to date has all been due to runoff and small creeks. No major flooding has been reported along the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers.

“They pretty much stayed within their banks,” he said.

Additional rain is expected this afternoon, and Beckwith expressed concerns over how this will affect areas which have already experienced flooding.

“We don’t need anymore water,” he said.