NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — Drivers in Western New York are being urged to use extreme caution this weekend as the region experiences heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the entire region and a Flash Flood and Areal Flood Warning for parts of the region ahead of soaking showers and storms.
As of 7 p.m. Saturday, most of the roads that had been closed had reopened as flood waters receded. However, Route 266 from Sawyer Avenue to Grand Island Boulevard in Tonawanda remained closed.
Around 8:30 p.m., Blakeley Road in the Town of Aurora was closed in both directions from Olean Road to Underhill Road due to flooding.
In the Town of Ischua in Cattaraugus County, Route 446 was closed in both directions after 7 p.m. between Kinney Hollow Road and West Shore Road. The road reopened around 8:30 p.m.
In the Northtowns, several road closures were reported due to flooding. According to NITTEC, the closures as of 2 p.m. included:
- I-190 South from exit 17 (River Road) to exit 16 (I-290);
- Route 324 West from Elmwood Avenue to Route 265;
- Route 62 North from Sheridan Drive to Maple Road;
- Route 266 North is closed from Sawyer Avenue to Grand Island Boulevard;
- Route 266 South is closed from Grand Island Boulevard to Sawyer Avenue;
- Sheridan Drive westbound between Elmwood Avenue and Military Road;
- Woodward Avenue between Riverview Boulevard and Kenmore Avenue.
Town of Tonawanda Police said River Road at Grand Island Boulevard was flooded and impassable.
In addition, flooding was reported on the I-190 north at exit 16 (I-290) during the day.