BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A flood watch will take effect Tuesday afternoon as a temperature warm-up raises concerns about potential ice jams in creeks and rivers around Buffalo.
Ice jams occur when warming temperatures cause ice in frozen rivers to break up and clump together, potentially blocking waterways and leading to flooding.
"It's the worst February in my lifetime with the cold, the ice, and the rain," said Maria Gallo, who has lived in South Buffalo for 80 years.
City of Buffalo crews are actively preparing for the possibility of ice jams as temperatures are expected to rise into the 50s on Wednesday.
Don Poleto, Buffalo's Senior Operations Engineer, explained that the fireboat Edward M. Cotter had been deployed four times this year to break the ice in the navigable portions of the Buffalo River.
The Buffalo Police Underwater Recovery Team has also been involved in ice-cutting efforts to mitigate potential flooding.
Gary Dickson, the West Seneca Superintendent, noted that they are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of residents. Areas of particular concern include the S-curves in the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek, where ice jams are more likely to form.
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