New York braces for post-snow flooding

After a week of epic snowfall dumped as much as 7 feet of snow on western New York, temperatures were climbing and state officials told residents Saturday to prepare for flooding.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo advised residents to stockpile food and flashlights, remove snow from the rooftops and clear drains of leaves before temperatures begin to rise to a forecast 50 degrees today and 60 degrees by Monday.

Citing lessons learned from the sluggish response to Superstorm Sandy, Cuomo said the state already has brought in 28 swift rescue boats, 375 water pumps and 176,000 sandbags.

“We are preparing for the worst as we enter phase two of this battle with Mother Nature,” he said.

He also warned residents to watch and listen for structural damage to their homes when the snow, which can hold the equivalent of 4 to 6 inches of rainwater, begins to melt.

“Flooding can be worse than the snow, no doubt about it,” Cuomo said.

Also of concern: Up to three-quarters of an inch of rain is expected in Buffalo this weekend and falling autumn leaves threaten to clog drainage systems, National Weather Service Meteorologist Steven Welch said.

The snow already is starting to compact down to about 5 feet in some areas, he said.

The National Weather Service released revised snowfall totals Saturday for the week. The town of Cowlesville in Wyoming County, just east of Buffalo, saw the most, with 88 inches from Monday through Friday.