Western New York Braces for Floods

1 minute read
By

New York officials warn that the record-breaking amount of snow that has been blanketing the western parts of the state might wreak more havoc, as warmer weather threatens to inundate the area with water.

With temperatures set to hit the high 40s this week, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings on Sunday for several counties. Creeks have reportedly started to swell as the seven feet of snow that overwhelmed the region begins to melt.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said state officials had been activated over the weekend to prepare for potential flooding.

“With the possibility of flooding in areas already hit hard by major snowfall over the past few days, we have launched a massive deployment of emergency personnel and resources to western New York,” he said.

Cuomo said more than 500 National Guard members had been mobilized, while hundreds of water pumps and thousands of sandbags were in place to help combat any deluge.

Amazing Overhead Photos Offer New View Buffalo of Snow

Homes are covered in snow in West Seneca, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. The Buffalo area found itself buried under as much as 5½ feet of snow with another lake-effect storm expected to bring 2 to 3 more feet.
Homes are covered in snow in West Seneca, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. The Buffalo area found itself buried under as much as 5½ feet of snow with another lake-effect storm expected to bring 2 to 3 more feet.Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
Cars are covered in snow in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014.
Cars are covered in snow in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
A man digs out his driveway in Depew, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014.
A man digs out his driveway in Depew, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. is buried in snow on Nov. 19, 2014.
Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. is buried in snow on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
Cars are stranded on Mile Strip Road at the entrance to Route 219 near Buffalo, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014.
Cars are stranded on Mile Strip Road at the entrance to Route 219 near Buffalo, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
Cars make their way through South Buffalo, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014.
Cars make their way through South Buffalo, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
Trucks are parked at Jim's Truck Stop in Cheektowaga,N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014.
Trucks are parked at Jim's Truck Stop in Cheektowaga, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP
A bulldozer clears the way for an ambulance in a neighborhood in West Seneca, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014.
A bulldozer clears the way for an ambulance in a neighborhood in West Seneca, N.Y. on Nov. 19, 2014. Derek Gee—The Buffalo News/AP

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com