Schools close, residents ready for evacuation in Buffalo region as snowmelt threatens flooding

BUFFALO, N.Y. – People in storm-affected areas around Buffalo began returning to work on Monday as fast-melting mounds of snow fed into creeks that were starting to swell.

It was not clear how widespread flooding would be almost a week after western New York was pummeled by epic snowfall. Thermometer readings were approaching 60 degrees (16 Celsius) by midmorning, and some residents of the Buffalo area were out and about in T-shirts riding bicycles while others focused on the tasks at hand.

Families rushed to pack up their valuables and schools closed in advance — not of snow but possible flooding.

The National Weather Service said rain overnight into Monday amounted to about one-tenth of an inch (two millimeters) across the areas that had received the heaviest snowfall. Forecasts call for rain showers on Monday and a chance of rain and snow showers by early Tuesday.

The NWS has issued a flood warning for Monday and cautioned that trees weakened by heavy snowfall and saturated soil could come crashing down. High wind gusts of up to 60 mph (100 kph) also could topple electrical wires and trigger power outages.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday warned residents in flood-prone areas around Buffalo to move valuables up from the basement, pack a bag and prepare for the possibility of evacuation.