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Flooding, power outage possible this weekend

With heavy freezing rain, significant icing and plenty of rainfall in the mix of possibilities, the National Weather Service has issued both an ice storm warning and a flood watch for much of northern New York this weekend.

People should be ready for fluctuating above- and below-freezing temperatures, power outages, tree damage, unsafe driving conditions and floods, the NWS said.

From tonight to Sunday evening, the NWS predicts 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain. Additional snowmelt will combine with this rainfall to enhance the potential for flooding across much of the North Country. Expect sharp rises on area waterways Saturday night into Sunday, the NWS warned.

The NWS also predicts a half-inch to a full inch of ice, especially in the Chateaugay and Burke areas of northern Franklin County, and less ice farther south in the county near Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. Gusty winds from 25 to 35 mph are expected to start Sunday afternoon.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo dispatched 19 extra snowplows to the North Country from other parts of the state such as the Capital Region, Southern Tier and Central New York.

New York State Electric and Gas and National Grid said they are increasing their available staff this weekend to deal with potential power outages.

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