Flood watch issued for today through 5 a.m. Monday

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is pictured on July 14 at Point Breeze.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2017 at 10:08 am

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a lakeshore flood watch from 5 p.m. today until 5 a.m. on Monday. The flood watch includes Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties.

Showers and thunderstorms mainly after 4 p.m. could bring a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

The thunderstorms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. The Weather Service says, “An isolated tornado also cannot be totally ruled out at this time.”

The Weather Service said the combination of high lake levels and wave action may worsen flooding in low-lying areas along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

The Weather Service has also issued a beach hazards statement for today from early afternoon until late evening because life-threatening waves and currents are expected.

“Stay out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls,” the Weather Service said.

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