Weather in the Finger Lakes

[Brenda]

Flooding forces people from their homes in Seneca Falls
by Alex Dunbar
Posted: 05.02.2011 at 6:24 PM

SENECA FALLS -- Brad Ellis has been gauging how fast the Seneca River is gaining on his family's house on by watching a birdfeeder. Typically the backyard birdfeeder sits well above the ground on a pole, but on Monday night, flood waters covered all but the top section. Ellis figures his house can handle another two feet of rising water before it starts coming in.

His family is sticking it out but the Red Jacket Fire Department has already evacuated 20 homes on Demont Road in Seneca Falls. The Red Cross is putting several families up at the local Holiday Inn and the few people still in their homes had their power cut off this afternoon.

"With the water level rising, most of the homes are literally under water and I was fearful for an electrical short in a residence or something like that and with the road in the condition it is - it would be tough to come down and rescue someone stranded in a burning home," said Red Jacket Fire Chief Allen Larsen.

Brad Ellis is powering his house with a small generator and keeping a close watch on the forecast. An inch of rain can mean the water level in the Seneca River goes up by a foot.

"We're just powering the television so we can stay updated on the weather and keep perishable food safe," said Ellis

The fire department has been filling sandbags for other trouble spots around the area but sandbags can't help homeowners on Demont Road. Emergency crews just hope Brad Ellis - and the other neighbors trying to stick it out - are ready to leave at a moments notice.

"We're pretty reasonable people - we're not going to duke it out with mother nature," said Ellis

Firefighters will be filling more sandbags on Tuesday with help from Willard Correctional Facility.

http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=612828

[Brenda]

This is what the barge canal through Montezuma looked like a few weeks ago:



We took a drive down through Kidders and Sheldrake earlier this afternoon to check on conditions there, and they can't take much more rain. There's certainly going to be damage over the next few days.

The dock at Kidders Landing:



A few docks travelling north:





Sheldrake Point:

[Brenda]

Much of the Finger Lakes area under flood watch Tuesday
Finger Lakes Times [email protected]

The National Weather Service in Buffalo says heavy rain may produce localized flooding Tuesday and Tuesday night in central and western New York.
Low pressure will move up along a stalled frontal boundary and produce a steady soaking rainfall today with expected amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches that could be enough to result in flooding of low lying areas and significant rises to rivers and creeks.

The area has been excessively wet and soils are already saturated in parts of Wayne, northern Cayuga, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties.
The flood watch remains in effect from 10 a.m. today through Wednesday morning. A flood watch means there is potential for flooding based on current forecasts.

http://www.fltimes.com/news/state/artic ... 002e0.html

[Matt]

oh wow... i never imagined the lakes with high water... interesting to see.

[Brenda]

Taughannock Falls was really roaring today!

[Brenda]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhvfox0wrRI

[ApproachingLight]

Down at our place this afternoon. Water is really high. Shore line has been moved back 3-4 feet and the water level obviously very high.

Neighbors permanent dock completely under water here except diving board. Should have staged a few "walking on water" portraits with the camera shoot at water level.

[Brenda]

Erie Canal Closed for at Least 2 More Weeks

Rochester, N.Y. -- New York State Canal System officials say portions of the Erie Canal will remain closed due to high water levels.

The section of the canal between Rochester and Tonawanda is open. But the stretch through Pittsford, Fairport and Macedon will remain closed for the now.

All other segments of the canal are also closed.

The earliest they could reopen is the week of May 23.

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/ ... Tn04A.cspx