Beware: Flood Warning Issued In Many Parts Of WNY

The historic snowstorm that will hit Western New York starting tomorrow may cause flooding in many counties in the region. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, but the National Weather Service in Buffalo says it's too early to predict how much.

This graphic shows where the main risk for snow is for Friday and Friday Night. (We don't expect any sleet.) ****We expect additional lake effect snow Saturday through Monday morning, but it's too far out for detailed snow amounts***

The crazy thing is, this storm is being called a 'once in a generation' storm, but we just had one of those over a month ago.

In addition to the threat of snow, the National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a Lakeshore Flood Warning today, Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Extreme flood water could cause harm and damage in Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Oswego, and Jefferson counties.

Significant lakeshore flooding expected. The lake level at Buffalo may exceed 11 feet above low water datum which would be more than 3 feet above flood stage.

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For Niagara, Erie, and Chautauqua counties the warning will be in effect from 7 am Friday to 7 pm Saturday. For Oswego and Jefferson counties the warning will be in effect from 1 pm Friday to 7 am Sunday.

The rapid rise in water levels will result in SIGNIFICANT lakeshore flooding along the Lake Erie and Upper Niagara River shores. Along the Lake Erie shore, flooding is likely along Route 5 in Hamburg, Buffalo Harbor, Canalside, Buffalo Riverworks, Dunkirk Harbor, Hoover Beach in Hamburg, Old First ward in South Buffalo, and other flood prone locations. Along the Upper Niagara River, flooding is likely to affect Grand Island, Cayuga Island, and beneath the North Grand Island bridge at the Lasalle Expressway ramps. Very high wave action will also result in significant shoreline erosion.