Tornado confirmed, flood warnings remain in aftermath of drenching storms in WNY

In the aftermath of drenching rains that pummeled the Western New York region Tuesday, flood warnings still remain along some local waterways and National Weather Service meteorologists from Buffalo have also confirmed a tornado touched down in Machias, N.Y.

Even after a much drier Wednesday, the runoff from the rainfall has some creeks and waterways running near bank full in spots, and a Flood Warning is posted for Tonawanda Creek At Batavia affecting Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming Counties, and for Tonawanda Creek At Rapids affecting Erie and Niagara Counties. Minor flooding is also observed at Ellicott Creek Near Williamsville affecting Erie and Genesee counties.

The Ellicott Creek flooding will subside through the day Thursday, National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Thomas tells WBEN. "But the Tonawanda Creek, one of our slower rising and falling creeks, that's going to remain in flood right through Saturday morning."

During the height of the severe weather Tuesday, a Tornado Warning was posted in a portion of Cattaraugus County, and now NWS experts have confirmed a tornado indeed touched down in Machias.

"We found an EF-1 tornado there in Machias," Thomas says. "It had a path length of about 1.5 miles and primarily hitting trees, downing hundreds of trees there in a swampy area."

Wind speeds with the confirmed tornado were in the 107 mph range and no injuries resulted from the storm.

While some scattered showers are in the forecast for the end of the work week, forecasters are warning of the potential for more heavy rainfall as a front passes through late Saturday, bringing with it the potential for more drenching rains.

Counties.