In the early morning hours of Monday, August 10, 2009, a rain storm of extreme proportions dropped 7" of rain on the Gowanda-Perrysburg area in less than an hour. For reference, a rainfall of 2" in a day is usually considered as a very major amount. By the usual rate of conversion, a 7" rainfall is the equivalent of 70" (5'10") of snowfall.
In the five minute period from 3:00 am to 3:05, the Cattaraugus Creek rose 5 feet from 1 1/2 feet below the 'flood alert' level of 8 feet to 1 1/2 feet above 'flood stage' level of 10 feet. The rapid rise in the water level of the creek was less a cause of the flooding than a result of the flash flooding of Thatcher Brook and Grannis Brook which were both over capacity. As the water from these two tributaries rushed to find alternate ways to reach the Cattaraugus Creek, several people reported seeing a 'wall of water', full of assorted debris, coming down the street at various locations.
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The graph above showing the spike in water level on the Cattaraugus Creek during the Aug. 2009 flash flooding in Gowanda is from the National Water Information System: Web Interface provided by the USGS. A page of larger graphs can be found by clicking on the graph above.
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From WGR television; Buffalo, NY
Articles
August 16, 2009
Volunteer or Donate to Gowanda, Silver Creek Flood Cleanup
August 17, 2009
Be a Hero for the Gowanda Flood Victims
Hero Central: Church Helps Gowanda Flood Victims; Looking for Food Donations
Gowanda Residents Start Cleanup With Water Ban Lifted
Video
August 16, 2009
Gowanda: Fate Of Hospital Not Clear After Flood
Residents Deal With Flood Aftermath
Channel 2's Aaron Saykin reports from Gowanda where residents continue a massive cleanup following last weekend's devastating flood.
Monday, August 17, 2009
How To Help Gowanda, Silver Creek Victims
There's a lot of devastation from the flood waters in the Southern Tier, especially in Gowanda and Silver Creek and your help is needed.
Water Ban Lifted in Gowanda, Boil Water Advisory Still in Effect
Finally, some good news for Village of Gowanda residents devastated by recent flooding.
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From WIVB television; Buffalo, NY
Articles
Monday, 8/10/09
Severe storms, heavy flooding across WNY
Towns under States of Emergency
* Zackary Kineke
Saturday, 8/15/09
Gov. seeks federal disaster assistance
Monday, 8/17/09
Flood recovery assistance
Links for help
Video
Monday, 8/10/09
Daring rescue in Zoar Valley
During the storm, the Erie County Sheriff's Air One helicopter had to make a daring rescue in Zoar Valley.
Deadly storm leaves mark in Gowanda
While the southtowns have seen a lot of rain since Sunday, the situation is much worse in the southern tier.
Wednesday, 8/12/09
FEMA to arrive in western New York
Paterson will tour devastated sections of WNY
* Rich Newberg
Drinking water is Gowanda's top concern
Clean water is getting trucked in for residents
* Vic Baker
Thursday, 8/13/09
Higgins seeks fed. disaster declaration
Congressman sends letter to President Obama
* Joe Arena
National Guard steps in to help
Clearing flood ravaged streets
* Rich Newberg
Chapter on survival on Gowanda
Reporter's Notebook
* Rich Newberg
GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Rich Newberg reports on the oddities of circumstance.
Saturday, 8/15/09
Residents receive truckload of goodwill
Hard work continues after Sunday's damaging storms
* Rich Newberg
Monday, 8/17/09
Paying for costly repairs in Gowanda
Rescue workers have set up a 24-hour hotline
* Rich Newberg
Gowanda home hit hard by storm
Reporter's Notebook
* Michele McClintick
GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Michele talks with Paul Zimmerman from Jamestown Street in Gowanda. His home is right next to the creek and it was one of the hardest hit in the town.
Sweltering heat during massive clean up
Countless volunteers work in sweltering heat
* Michele McClintick
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From Buffalo News newspaper; Buffalo, NY
Monday 8/10
audio Slideshow - Cleaning Up Gowanda
Tuesday 8/11
Cattaraugus Creek floods near county line
Governor declares a State Disaster Emergency
Saturday 8/15
Recovery from flood may take years
Sunday 8/16
Local federal lawmakers press for FEMA flood aid
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From Dunkirk Observer newspaper; Dunkirk, NY
August 16, 2009
Surge Flooded Cattaraugus Creek in Minutes [PDF file] (Note:This article from the Post-Journal also appeared in the Obsrver, but without the photo.)
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From Gowanda PennySaver/News newspaper; Gowanda, NY
August 16, 2009
Posted as PDF files:
21 photos from the flood
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From personal networking websites:
MySpace
Videos posted by Jen
video 1
video 2
YouTube
BSORPatarak
Flood Cattaraugus Creek at Gowanda - August 10, 2009
Seen here is the raging waters of the Cattaraugus Creek going under the railroad trestle. This video is early morning after the heavy rains. To drive around the village and see the power of the water. The damage is unbelievable. I am sorry for all of those who suffered losses during this flood. Clean up is going to go on for a long time. Many of the problems were ditches, tiny streams and culverts that couldn't handle the amount of rain in such a short time.
CopperSneakdotcom
The day after a Back Yard Flood from tributary of Cattaraugus Creek next door to my neighbors house.
The day after Back Yard Flooding from tributary of Cattaraugus Creek next door to my neighbors house.
Going to buy drinking water and bread at Jubilee after flood Gowanda NY 2009.
Going to buy drinking water and bread at Jubilee after flood Gowanda NY 2009. We pass police and emergency services command center at new fire Hall!
eClickNick
The flood in WNY August 09
The aftermath of the flooding in Western New York the day after the flood.
younews
August 13, 2009
Record Flooding, Western New York State
Heavy rains have created some of the worst flooding in recent memory in the Southern Tier of Western New York State.
Governor Paterson declared a state disaster emergency for Erie, Cattaragus and Chautauqua counties after severe storms struck Western New York Sunday night through Monday morning.
The main road in the Village of Gowanda was closed after several feet of flood water rushed through the center of the village, flooding basements and leaving tons of mud behind.
The storms claimed at least one life in Gowanda, when a man was swept away by fast moving water.
In Silver Village mobile homes were damaged or destroyed by raging flood waters.
All of the material in this video was captured and submitted by YouNews citizen journalists to WKBW at http://www.wkbw.com/younews
Music:
Title soundtrack: In Motion
Composer: Dan Phillipson
Publisher: Lynne Publishing
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