Buffalo becomes winter wonderland

BUFFALO – The snow is setting near records in Buffalo New York, but the impact of the lake effect snow might really hit hardest this weekend. Warmer temperatures are expected, and that snow is likely to melt fast. That could impact parts of the city with flooding, as well as cause potential damage to homes and buildings as the weight of the snow increases as it melts.

A Flood Watch has been issued and it remains in effect from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning…

The Flood Watch continues for

* a portion of western New York…including the following counties…Genesee…northern Erie…southern Erie and Wyoming.

* From Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning.

* Snow melt from the recent significant lake effect snow events combined with rainfall early next week will bring the potential for significant flooding.

* Smaller streams and creeks will be prone to flooding from snow melt. This will include the creeks that flow through the Buffalo Metro area…including Cayuga…Buffalo…Cazenovia an Ellicott creeks. Towns that received significant amounts of snow will also have potential for urban flooding from the snow melt.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings.

VIDEO by Reuters