(AccuWeather/WBEN) - Western New York is expected to see a wet and unsettled Sunday as scattered showers and thunderstorms bring the potential for heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 10 a.m. Sunday through late Sunday night for much of Western and central New York. The watch includes Erie, Niagara, Monroe, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston and Allegany counties.
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH LATE TONIGHT.
WHAT - Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. WHERE - Portions of central and western New York, including the following counties, in central New York, Jefferson, Lewis, Northern Cayuga and Oswego. In western New York, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Northern Erie, Ontario, Orleans, Southern Erie, Wayne and Wyoming.
WHEN - From 10 AM EDT this morning through late tonight. IMPACTS - Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS - Scattered to numerous heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected today and tonight. Locally heavy rainfall is possible with rainfall rates near, or exceeding 2 inches per hour at times. Repeated rounds of heavy rain over any given location could result in flash flooding.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS - You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Forecasters say rainfall coverage will be uneven, with periods of dry weather between showers and storms. However, repeated rounds of thunderstorms over the same locations could produce rainfall rates near or above 2 inches an hour, increasing the risk of rapid flooding.
Excessive runoff could cause flooding along rivers, creeks and streams, as well as in low-lying areas, urban locations and places with poor drainage.
The same weather system is expected to produce strong to severe thunderstorms elsewhere in the East before shifting toward the Plains.
Residents should monitor updated forecasts and be ready to act if a flash flood warning is issued. Motorists should not drive through flooded roadways, and people in flood-prone areas should move vehicles and other property to higher ground when possible.
