Buffalo, NY – A Lakeshore Flood Watch has been issued for the Lake Erie shoreline in western New York as forecasters warn of a rapid rise in water levels and dangerous wave action expected to begin Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
The watch covers Erie and Chautauqua counties, including Buffalo, Hamburg, Dunkirk, and Canalside, where flooding is possible along Route 5 and other low-lying lakeshore areas. Strong westerly winds are forecast to push water eastward across Lake Erie, creating wave heights capable of shoreline erosion and potential flooding in harbors and coastal neighborhoods.
Forecasters say conditions could worsen overnight Wednesday as winds intensify behind a passing cold front, coinciding with holiday travel and Black Friday preparations along the Buffalo waterfront and nearby communities.
Residents near the lake are urged to secure outdoor property, avoid flooded roadways, and stay alert for possible Lakeshore Flood Warnings if water levels continue to rise. The National Weather Service notes that even brief flooding may lead to significant shoreline damage and hazardous conditions for boaters and pedestrians along the waterfront.
