Lakeshore Flood — Chautauqua, New York

2019-10-27 · Chautauqua, New York

Wider weather episode

A strong cold frontal passage near midday flipped what was southeast flow around to the southwest abruptly and drove a lake seiche onto the eastern shores of Lake Erie. The combination of higher than normal water level on Lake Erie and the increase in water led to flooding along the New York shoreline of the lake for a short period. Lake Erie peaked at Buffalo Harbor at 9.64 feet above low water datum. Water from the lake inundated Canalside in Downtown Buffalo and Route 5 at Hoover Beach. It also damaged the new pier at Dunkirk.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 861203. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.