Governor Andrew Cuomo is advising people living in areas of the Southern Tier affected by flooding to pay attention to the guidance provided by emergency workers.

Cuomo visited Broome County Tuesday afternoon to speak with local officials and to assess some of the hardest-hit areas.

Speaking in Vestal, the governor acknowledged that people often don't want to leave their homes. But he said "your home can be the most dangerous place to be" during times of flooding.

Cuomo said "it should be taken seriously" when emergency personnel advise residents to evacuate. He said those who ignore such directives could endanger themselves and emergency crews who might later be deployed to rescue them.

Some homes in Broome County have been evacuated because of flash flooding. Residents in parts of Vestal, Conklin and Harpursville were directed to leave their homes.

The American Red Cross has set up shelters at these locations: Vestal American Legion, 119 Jensen Road, Vestal; Donnelly Elementary School, 1168 Conklin Road, Conklin; and Harpursville Baptist Church, 41 Cumber Road, Harpursville.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From 99.1 The Whale