Orleans faces flood watch, winter weather advisory
Photo by Tom Rivers: The memorial for soldiers in front of the Albion Town Hall is pictured last week when it was below freezing. Most of the snow has since melted away. Jeff Benfer, a local welder and artist, made the metal sculpture of a battlefield cross. It has been in front of the Town Hall on Clarendon Road since 2015.
A winter weather advisory and flood watch have both been issued for Orleans County.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued the winter weather advisory from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday for Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, northern Erie and Genesee counties.
Freezing rain is expected with total ice accumulations of one tenth to three tenths of an inch expected.
“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice,” the Weather Service said. “Travel could be extremely difficult, especially the Wednesday evening commute.”
Periods of freezing rain will result in slick roads. Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution while driving.
A flood watch is in effect until 4 a.m. tonight for Orleans and several WNY counties. Ice jams remain a concern as river and creek ice may continue to break up.
“Deepening cold air will help to slow the melting process,” the Weather Service said. “The most susceptible areas for potential ice jams are the Buffalo Creeks, Cattaraugus Creek, and the upper Allegany River, although they can happen anywhere.”
