November 24, 2014 by Carolyn Thompson, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BUFFALO, N.Y. – People in storm-affected areas around Buffalo began returning to work on Monday as fast-melting mounds of snow fed into creeks that were starting to swell.
It was not clear how widespread flooding would be almost a week after western New York was pummeled by epic snowfall. Thermometer readings were approaching 60 degrees (16 Celsius) by midmorning, and some residents of the Buffalo area were out and about in T-shirts riding bicycles while others focused on the tasks at hand.
Flood control equipment ready for deployment at our Reinstein Woods Environmental Ed center in #Buffalo pic.twitter.com/uMnH7DkbPh
— NYSDEC (@NYSDEC) November 24, 2014
Families rushed to pack up their valuables and schools closed in advance – not of snow but possible flooding.
The National Weather Service said rain overnight into Monday amounted to about one-tenth of an inch (two millimeters) across the areas that had received the heaviest snowfall. Forecasts call for rain showers on Monday and a chance of rain and snow showers by early Tuesday.
Early today the #FDNY @redcrossny Disaster Assistance Response Team left for #Buffalo with 1000 blankets & 500 cots. pic.twitter.com/3UDWAcgcu0
— FDNY (@FDNY) November 24, 2014
The NWS has issued a flood warning for Monday and cautioned that trees weakened by heavy snowfall and saturated soil could come crashing down. High wind gusts of up to 60 mph (100 kph) also could topple electrical wires and trigger power outages.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday warned residents in flood-prone areas around Buffalo to move valuables up from the basement, pack a bag and prepare for the possibility of evacuation.
Snow-covered #Buffalo area faces new risk: flooding . @HavardGould reports this morning.#snowvember buffalo http://t.co/QlBaJJkhMj
— CBC News (@CBCNews) November 21, 2014
Check out this drone video of the NY #snow http://t.co/fzOpi9bjqN More coverage from our sister station http://t.co/H82VsW12lj #buffalo
— Scott Connell KSDK (@scottontvKSDK) November 21, 2014
See the Buffalo snowstorm from above. Photo: @AP_Images http://t.co/saHgyTnaLj pic.twitter.com/fwecsBjfrz
— TIME.com (@TIME) November 22, 2014
Can you believe this time-lapse of the #buffalo storm, shot by @Joseph_Video? https://t.co/zCU04IaCi5
— CBC InfoRadio 89.3FM (@CBCInfoRad) November 24, 2014
Have your say: