Flash Flood in Cattaraugus County, New York

Severe thunderstorms crossed the area during the early morning hours. The thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds which downed trees and power lines. The damage from thunderstorm winds paled in comparison to the damage resulting from the flash floods the thunderstorms produced. Five to six inches of rain fell in a two hundred square mile area sending small streams out of their banks causing several million dollars worth of property damage in the Villages of Arcade and Gowanda. Cattaraugus Creek rose faster than any time in memory and crested two feet over flood stage. This surge caused many boats to break loose from their moorings at the mouth of the creek at Sunset Bay and over a hundred boats were shoved out into Lake Erie and wrecked. Erie, Wyoming and Cattaraugus counties were declared state and federal disaster areas. In Arcade, 37 were rescued from treetops and rooftops by the Water Rescue Team. Over 130 homes were damaged in Arcade.