Flooding, Lightning Causes Problems In Region

WESTERN NEW YORK – Showers and thunderstorms have caused issues for residents in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties as very heavy rain fell across the region this morning.
The first Flash Flood Warning was issued at 8:18 AM by the National Weather Service in Buffalo for southern Allegany County as a cluster of slow-moving showers and thunderstorms were producing torrential rainfall amounts of two-plus inches per hour.
At 9:12 AM, a Flash Flood Warning was issued for Cattaraugus County as reports of flash flooding near Olean starting coming in. All Flash Flood Warnings have since expired.
Reports from Allegany County 911 indicated a man was struck and injured by lightning along State Route 244 near the Town of Amity.
Area’s affected by flooding include:

  • Route 275 in Bolivar in Allegany County closed due to water an debris on the road.
  • Water over State Road 275 between Richburg and Bolivar.
  • A video sent to the NWS via social media shows water flowing over a road near Sunny Hill and Richburg.
  • Water and debris over numerous roads in Bolivar, Clarksville, and Richburg.
  • Water and debris over roads in Belfast in Allegany County.
  • Social media video showing water over Reed St. in Bolivar.
  • Union Valley Road in Olean flooded.
  • Flooding along East Windfall Rd. in Olean.

Numerous highways in Allegany County have also been closed by officials due to water and debris littering the roadways.
For the reminder of this Independence Day, we still do expect a few more scattered showers and storms for the afternoon, but there should be plenty of dry time. The nighttime fireworks hours are looking great. There does remain a 20% chance for a rain or thundershower but, likewise, should be mainly dry.