Weather alert announced for heavy rain in Oneida and Madison counties Friday afternoon

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 12:27 p.m. on Friday for heavy rain until 2:30 p.m. for Oneida and Madison counties.

"An area of locally heavy rain will move through Oneida and Madison counties in north central NY early this afternoon. The rain will cause localized urban and poor drainage flooding and ponding of water on roadways. Expect up to 1 inch of rain to fall before the rain tapers off by mid to late afternoon," states the weather service.

Navigating heavy rain: Safety tips for wet roads

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it's prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of