Tornado Watch Issued For Hudson Valley Counties

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The National Weather Service has extended its tornado watch for Orange County and expanded a tornado watch to the whole region. It is in effect until 10 p.m.

Counties listed in the tornado watch:

• ALBANY
• CHENANGO
• COLUMBIA
• DELAWARE
• DUTCHESS
• ESSEX
• FULTON
• GREENE
• HAMILTON
• HERKIMER
• MADISON
• MONTGOMERY
• ONEIDA
• ORANGE
• OTSEGO
• PUTNAM
• RENSSELAER
• ROCKLAND
• SARATOGA
• SCHENECTADY
• SCHOHARIE
• SULLIVAN
• ULSTER
• WARREN
• WASHINGTON
• WESTCHESTER

A wind advisory has been issued for Dutchess and Ulster counties for south winds blowing 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Also due to saturated ground conditions, trees may be more easily toppled over, the National Weather Service said.

A wind advisory has also been issued for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and northern Westchester. South winds up to 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are expected until 11 p.m. Friday.

For southern Westchester, a separate wind advisory predicts south winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

There continues to be the potential for isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding late Friday afternoon into tonight, along with urban and poor drainage flooding. In addition, there slight risk for severe weather for the area, with the primary threat being damaging winds with a localized tornado threat.

"Windy, junglelike, and enhanced downpours — all on the serving cart," Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather said on Facebook.

SEE: Downpours, Tornadoes, Flooding: Debby Grazes The Hudson Valley

On Facebook, Westchester County police asked residents to be careful.

Talk about a Debby downer.

The remnants of tropical storm Debby have blown into Westchester and we have already seen a number trees and large branches come down on the parkways and streets we patrol. The combination of saturated ground and high winds puts Westchester at risk of more incidents like these throughout the evening.

As a result, please exercise caution when driving this afternoon and evening. We remind motorists to never drive over or approach downed power lines. Always assume they are live. And as we have said before, never drive through standing water or around barricades that are in place to close a roadway. Flash flooding is a risk tonight as it is during any major storm.

Extra WCPD Patrol and Emergency Service Unit officers are working this evening. We’re out there if you need us, Westchester.