AccuWeather’s advance notice gives Northeast businesses valuable time to prepare for historic flooding

The Northeast experienced unprecedented historic flooding on July 9-10, 2023, when heavy rain of up to 10 inches fell in some areas. AccuWeather For Business gave companies the most advanced notice and accurate predictions of rainfall totals. Timely alerts and warnings came before other weather providers, giving businesses valuable time to plan, be better prepared and keep employees and customers safer. 

Most Advance Notice 

Days before the rain fell, causing widespread flooding, AccuWeather's forecasts stood out by warning about "heavy thunderstorms" across the Northeast and the potential for reduced visibility and ponding on streets.  Four days in advance, the forecast was an initial warning to businesses to start preparing.

Three days before the storm, AccuWeather accurately pinpointed the areas from eastern Pennsylvania through parts of Vermont that would experience persistent downpours and significant flooding. Also, AccuWeather became the first to warn about the risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds across eastern Pennsylvania on Sunday, ahead of all other sources, including the government. In doing so, AccuWeather For Business made sure companies were well-informed.

Most Accurate Forecasts

Two days in advance, AccuWeather's forecast of up to 4 inches of rain across eastern Pennsylvania and New York proved far more accurate than other weather sources, which only forecast up to 2 inches of rain.

AccuWeather’s meteorologists also accurately forecast up to 8 inches of rain across the Hudson Valley and Vermont, enabling businesses to prepare for potential flooding.

>>READ MORE: AccuWeather's SkyGuard a game-changer for children's hospital

Impact of AccuWeather’s Storm Warning Meteorologists

AccuWeather's Storm Warning Meteorologists took their commitment further by issuing numerous AccuWeather SkyGuard® Flash Flood Warnings earlier than any other weather provider. These timely warnings provided valuable advance notice, empowering people to prepare for the dangerous flash flooding that was imminent.

For example, AccuWeather issued a SkyGuard® Flash Flood Warning for Selinsgrove and Sunbury, Pennsylvania, two to three hours before any other source, offering exclusive information significantly contributing to minimizing damage.

The severity of the flash flooding prompted AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists to issue clients a rare SkyGuard® Flood Emergency Warning. The warning provided by AccuWeather came 20 minutes before any other weather provider. This exclusive tool, utilized by businesses like a Class I railroad operating in the area, accurately alerted customers to the high risk of severe flooding and potential infrastructure damage.

AccuWeather issued a SkyGuard® Flash Flood Warning for Quakertown, Pennsylvania, 27 minutes before other sources, including the government, giving businesses crucial lead time to respond and take necessary actions.

After a slow-moving storm brought a deluge of water to the Northeast, floodwaters can be seen in downtown Montpelier, Vermont, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Storm Chaser Brandon Clement)

After a slow-moving storm brought a deluge of water to the Northeast, floodwaters can be seen in downtown Montpelier, Vermont, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Storm Chaser Brandon Clement)

After a slow-moving storm brought a deluge of water to the Northeast, floodwaters can be seen in downtown Montpelier, Vermont, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Storm Chaser Brandon Clement)

Simon Jennings, of Montpelier, Vermont, removes mid-20th century mannequins from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store J. Langdon he and his wife own in downtown Montpelier, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Juliana Jennings, of Montpelier, Vermont, removes a wet Persian rug from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store J. Langdon she and her husband own in downtown Montpelier, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Impact on Industries

When major flooding is in the forecast, AccuWeather SkyGuard® Warnings, can help businesses in various industries prepare in the following ways: 

• Transportation and Logistics: By receiving timely alerts and warnings, businesses could reroute shipments, secure their assets and ensure the safety of their drivers, minimizing business disruptions and potential losses.
• Construction: AccuWeather's accurate rainfall predictions could allow project managers to proactively protect their worksites and equipment. With the advanced notice provided, construction companies could adjust schedules, implement preventive measures and prevent potential damage caused by severe flooding.
• Outdoor Events and Entertainment: AccuWeather's timely warnings could be invaluable to event planners of outdoor events and entertainment, enabling them to make informed decisions to reschedule events and maintain the safety of guests.
• Agricultural: AccuWeather's accurate forecasts provide vital information in helping farmers prepare for severe flooding. Farmers could protect their crops, secure livestock and prevent potential losses by receiving advanced notice.

>>READ MORE: AccuWeather’s SkyGuard Warnings prevents unnecessary shutdown at Fujifilm factories, distribution center

Superior Accuracy™: Better informed, Better protected, Better prepared.

AccuWeather SkyGuard® Warnings, backed by Superior Accuracy, deliver site-specific alerts and warnings well before severe weather hits, giving you more time to prepare. Plus, get access to a team of expert severe weather meteorologists watching out for your business 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Want to learn more about how we can help your business better prepare for severe weather? Demo SkyGuard today and protect your business, employees and assets.