Flood watch issued for Orleans
Photos by Tom Rivers – An apple tree stands along Butts Road in Albion north of the Erie Canal on Monday evening. The snowpack around the tree is expected to diminish as temperatures climb above freezing in the coming days.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Thursday night and Friday due to a “significant warmup with rain.” Temperatures are expected to climb reach 39 on Wednesday then hit the 40s on Thursday and Friday.
The melting snow and rain create the potential for significant runoff. The ice on creeks could dam constricted waterways, creating an even greater potential for flooding, the National Weather Service advised.
Thunderstorms are also possible.
The flood warning has been issued for Orleans and the following counties: Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany.
The DeWitt Clinton tugboat is spending the winter in the Erie Canal between the Main and Ingersoll Street lift bridges in Albion. Other tugboats and barges also “winter” in Albion.
