It was an emergency situation late-Sunday after heavy rain prompted a state of emergency.
“Due to increasingly dangerous conditions, I am expanding our State of Emergency to Ontario County,” Governor Hochul said. “State personnel are on the ground and supporting local response efforts. New Yorkers in impacted regions should do everything they can to avoid flooded roads and stay alert for additional weather.”
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Our team has been on the ground in Canandaigua this evening assisting Ontario County local officials and emergency responders with flood-related impacts. We continue to support these efforts and others across the state as heavy rain has caused widespread flooding. New Yorkers should take extra caution, if traveling, and stay alert.”
The slow moving storms were enough to dump over five inches of rain in just a couple hours, causing impassable roads and debris alongside many of them. Countless reports of flooded basements were also circulating as the rains continued into the evening hours.
Ontario County Administrator Christopher DeBolt said in a statement after Sunday’s flooding that an emergency shelter was setup at the Zion Episcopal Church.
He also noted that the communities hardest hit by flooding were Canandaigua, Gorham, Farmington, Hopewell, Bristol, and the city of Canandaigua. Approximately 100 homes had been impacted by the flooding.
“Local leaders quickly moved to request New York State resources, with the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services coordinating incident response with all effected jurisdictions under the leadership of Ontario County,” DeBolt added.
AM Report: Flooding possible this afternoon with heavy thunderstorms in the forecast
Thunderstorms carrying heavy rain and strong wind gusts are possible across parts of the Finger Lakes this afternoon, raising concerns about localized flash flooding.
The greatest risk for flooding and heavy thunderstorms is east and south of the Finger Lakes. But the risk does remain in the core portion of the region.
Cortland, Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung, and Tioga have been put under a flood watch.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop across the region from late morning into mid-day. Some locations may witness multiple storm cells moving slowly northeast. Rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible, potentially leading to flash flooding if these rates persist.
The heavy rainfall is expected to subside by evening, although additional showers might persist into Monday morning.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].