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Buffalo, New York - A flash flood watch is posted for Southern Erie, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Wyoming Counties from Noon Saturday through the evening.

Heavy rains caused flash flooding for portions of the Southern Tier Friday.

A state of emergency is in effect in the Village of Wellsville in Allegany County. Roads were damaged and flooded in Wellsville, Belmont and Scio.

Emergency crews evacuated some of the residents.

Wellsville Police say dozens of streets and roadways are impassable and are closed. Some of the roads could be closed for the next several days.

Officials are asking residents to avoid any unnecessary travel in areas affected by the flash floods.

The following is the National Weather Service Flash Flood Watch statement:
WYOMING-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-SOUTHERN ERIE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WARSAW...JAMESTOWN...OLEAN... WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE 417 AM EDT SAT MAY 14 2011

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A
  • FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK... INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...ALLEGANY...CATTARAUGUS... CHAUTAUQUA...SOUTHERN ERIE AND WYOMING.
  • FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING
  • SLOW MOVING DOWNPOURS ARE ONCE AGAIN EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. ANY THUNDERSTORM WILL THUS HAVE A HEIGHTENED CHANCE OF PRODUCING RAIN IN EXCESS OF ONE INCH PER HOUR.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THE THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING EXISTS ALONG RIVERS AND CREEKS. IF YOU ARE IN THE WATCH AREA YOU SHOULD MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS CLOSELY. BE READY TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER RADIO AND TV STATIONS FOR FURTHER UPDATES.