LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch, to be effective until 2am on Wednesday.
Livingston County is near the center of the watch area, which also includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Erie, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
According to the Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms will develop in a warm, humid airmass this afternoon and tonight. The Service added that these storms can produce torrential downpours, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
Flash Flood Watch conditions mean that flooding is most likely near rivers and creeks. Residents in the watch area are advised to follow weather updates closely, and be ready to move to higher ground if flooding is observed, or a warning is issued.
In the event of a local evacuation, the Weather Service recommends that homeowners turn off utilities at the main switches or valves, especially electrical appliances, and not to touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. The Service added that outdoor furniture can be brought indoors if you have time, and personally valuable items moved to an upper floor.
Be wary of streams, drainage channels, and large ditches. Flash floods can occur in these areas even without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.
(PHOTO CAPTION: File Photo)