After record snow, Buffalo area braces for floods
First, it was a record 7 feet of snow. Now, western New York state is bracing for new weather woes with significant flooding forecast.
A flood watch is in effect through Wednesday for five Buffalo-area counties as three days' worth of snow combines with rain and temperatures of up to 60 degrees early next week.
As the snowpack absorbs much of the water — from both rain and warm temperatures melting the snow — the likelihood of roof collapses could increase as the snow becomes heavier. Add in the rain forecast to hit the area, and the potential for flooding increases.
Small streams and creeks may rise. At the same time, drains may clog because of all the snowmelt trying to get through catch basins blocked by uncollected autumn leaves.
"The biggest flood threat would be on Monday when temperatures are at their warmest," Weather Service meteorologist Jon Hitchcock told the Associated Press. "There could be general urban flooding."
"There's roughly the equivalent of 6 inches of rain in the snowpack that will essentially be released over two days," Tobe said. "If it was released as rain, it would be a monumental storm."
Flooding would likely affect mostly basements and creeks, he added.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned residents living in areas prone to flooding or where there was a large amount of snow to take precautions, such as clearing drains of debris and snow.
"New York is preparing for the worst-case scenario with these floods, and safety is our top priority," Cuomo said in a statement.
He said the state was sending additional pumps, dump trucks and snow blowers and was monitoring flooding in 13 wastewater treatment plants in the area.
Contributing: WGRZ; the Associated Press
