Flood in Herkimer County, New York

The combination of heavy rain and snow melt led to the West Canada Creek to overflow its banks from Hinckley Reservoir down to Kast Bridge and slightly farther downstream. Local news stations shared pictures and videos of flooding occurring in spots along the entire path of the creek from Poland to Newport and Middleville with water encroaching on river-adjacent homes, roadways, and local businesses.

The combination of persistent rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall; above-normal temperatures; and subsequent snowmelt led to several days worth of significant flooding along the West Canada Creek in Herkimer County.

The West Canada Creek USGS river gauge at Hinckley Reservoir reported minor flooding beginning around 9:45 PM EDT on March 31. The gauge then rose to moderate flood stage around 2:00 AM EDT on April 1. The creek crested just below major flood stage at 1229.82 feet around 4:30 PM EDT on April 1 before slowly receding over the next several days.

The West Canada Creek USGS river gauge at Kast Bridge reported minor flooding beginning at 9:15 PM EDT on March 31st. The gauge reached then reached moderate flood stage by 1:45 AM EDT on April 1st. By 4:45 PM EDT on April 1, the gauge reached major flood stage where it later crested at 8.21 feet during the late evening hours on April 1st. Thereafter, gradual receding of flood waters saw the gauge readings drop below flood stage on April 3rd at 6:15 PM EDT.

Along the entire path of the West Canada Creek, various towns and villages were affected by this flooding with areal images and videos showing water encroaching on river-adjacent homes, roadways, and local businesses including in Poland, Newport and Middleville. In Newport, two homes were evacuated and had power supply cut off due to flood waters inundating the property. State Route 28 and other surrounding roads were closed for several days also due to inundation by flood waters and the American Red Cross set up a relief shelter at the Kuyahoora Community Hall in order to provide those impacted with necessary supplies. Additionally, Kast Bridge itself was closed due to dangerously high water levels threatening to inundate it.