Orleans now faces flood watch with melting ice

Photos by Tom Rivers: Icicles hang on the statue of Jesus on the cross at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery on East Avenue at about 1 p.m. today.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 2:39 pm

High wind warning also in effect from midnight to 5 p.m. Friday

Orleans County now has a flood watch to contend with through 7 a.m. on Friday. Orleans joins several WNY counties in the flood watch.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo warns that ice jams will again be a concern as river ice starts to break up with notably higher temperatures today and tonight. That will result in additional runoff from melting ice combined with recent rainfall. In addition, rivers and creeks may reach minor flood stage.

Orleans County also has a high wind warning in effect from midnight to 5 p.m. Friday. The southwest winds will be from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

Ron Ricker of the Albion DPW moves a large branch that fell on McKinistry Street. Ricker said there were only a few spots around the village with large limbs down, including several at Mount Albion Cemetery. He hopes the warming temperatures melt the ice on the trees before the high winds hit.

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