weather

A tornado warning has been issued for southwestern Genesee County.

At 8:33 p.m., a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Pembroke, seven miles north of Darien Lake State Park.  It is moving southeast at 15 mph.

The warning is in effect until 9 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, there is the potential for flying debris that is dangerous to those without shelter. Mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed. There could be damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. Tree damage is likely. 
 

The viaduct on Main Street in Le Roy flooded this afternoon during heavy rain.  The roadway is now clear and reopened.

The viaduct on Ellicott Street near Chapin also reportedly flooded.

Send flood pictures to news@thebatavian.com

A tornado warning has been issued for Batavia, Byron, Oakfield, Stafford, Bergen, Corfu, Elba, and Alexander.

The warning is in effect until 2 p.m. Wednesday.

A tornado was reported on Wednesday near Attica and moving northeast at 30 mph.

Weather sports reported the tornado.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: A tornado reportedly touched down at Route 77 and Route 5 in Pembroke.  So far, no damage has been reported.  If you have photos or video, please send to howard@thebatavian.com or text 585-260-6970.

Press release:

The Batavia Concert Band will be at GCC at 7 p.m. on Wednesday due to current and forecasted weather conditions.  Please join us in the dry and warm indoors at the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC to hear some fantastic music led by Perry CSD Music Teacher and Concert Band guest conductor Dillon Hirsch. 

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for all of Western New York, including Genesee County.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: There is a warning in place now until 1:45 p.m. for Darien and Pembroke. At 1:11 p.m., a tornado was reported in Billington Heights and over East Aurora, moving northeast at 40 mph. The weather service warns, "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."

Previously: Weather services warns of heavy rain, thunderstorms, elevated risk of tornadoes

Press release from the National Weather Service for Wednesday:

Heavy rain from the tropical remnants of Beryl will soak the region today and tonight with rainfall amounts ranging from a half inch across the western Southern Tier and up to two inches across the lake plains from Buffalo to Rochester...to potentially more than three inches over the Eastern Lake Ontario region. This could lead to local flooding problems...particularly in urban areas and areas with elevated terrain.

Possibly a greater risk will come from strong thunderstorms that will develop this afternoon. While there will be tropical downpours and localized wind gusts to 40 mph...there will be an unusually elevated risk for tornadoes. The greatest risk for tornadic activity will be across the Finger Lakes region and parts of the western Southern Tier.

It's a familiar scene that always returns this time of year, and it's as frustrating for bystanders as it is easy to avoid: leaving pets inside vehicles during the dog days of summer. And the one simple message from animal welfare advocates such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is to use some common sense and not put animals in harm's way when the temperatures soar. 

On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

Dogs, who don’t sweat and can cool themselves only by panting, can rapidly succumb to heatstroke, even if a vehicle is parked in the shade with the windows slightly open, which has little to no effect on lowering the temperature inside.

Besides the well-being factor for animals, there's the reality that anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may be  prosecuted for cruelty.

The following tips, provided by PETA, will help keep animal companions safe in hot weather:

• Keep animals indoors, and leave them at home when it’s hot outside.  Unlike humans, dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting, so even brief sun exposure can have life-threatening consequences. Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help should note their locations and alert authorities immediately.
• Never leave an animal inside a hot vehicle.  Temperatures can quickly soar in parked cars, and a dog trapped inside can die from heatstroke within minutes—even if the car is in the shade with the windows slightly open, which has little to no effect on lowering the temperature inside the car. PETA offers  an emergency window-breaking hammer  for help with intervening in life-or-death situations.
• Avoid hot pavement. When outdoor temperatures reach the 80s, asphalt temperatures can climb to 140-degrees, causing pain, burns, and permanent damage to dogs’ paws after just a few minutes of contact. Walk dogs on grass whenever possible, and avoid walking in the middle of the day. 
• Never run with dogs  in hot weather—they’ll collapse before giving up, at which point, it may be too late to save them.

So leave the hotdogs to Batavia Peace Garden's regular sale outside of Holland Land Office, baseball games, picnics and barbecues. Everyone will be happier.

Area residents have been seeking out the spray park in Austin Park, Batavia, seeking some relief from the heatwave that has rolled through Genesee County.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday. With temperatures in the 90s, the heat index is hitting around 100.

Localized flooding in Pavilion created a swimming opportunity for two kids in their own front yard on Perry Road, said Shari Joy, who spotted the kids having fun in the large puddle on Friday afternoon.

Two photos of the sunset taken off Kelsey Road in the town of Batavia on Tuesday evening.

Photos submitted by Corey Coles.

A high wind watch starts on Wednesday at 11 a.m., carrying a significant threat to safety and property, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters expect winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

High winds are expected through Wednesday night.

Possible difficulties include toppled trees, downed power lines, scattered power outages, and travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

There was plenty of snow around Batavia on Sunday afternoon that needed to be moved, so city crews and local residents dug in and did the hard work of digging out.

More than a foot of snow fell on Batavia in the previous 24 hours. 

A travel advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. on Monday.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

NOTE: Please email weather-related photos to news@thebatavian.com.

A black Kia is off the road at the Thruway interchange, just before Route 77. One occupant complaining of an arm injury. Pembroke and Indian Falls dispatched.

East Pembroke's chief is out with multiple vehicles off the road, all occupied, at 2855 Main Road.

In Pembroke, a driver was stuck in a ditch, was helped out, and then tried to leave on her own and got stuck again. Dadwells responded, and the driver refused to pay for the tow.

There is an accident in Pavilion on Route 63 near Cook Road. Pavilion Fire is on scene. Bethany Fire has shut down traffic at Texaco Town.  No injuries.

UPDATE 11:41 a.m.: A black sedan is stuck in the roadway at Swan Street and Ellicott Street, Batavia.

UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: Bethany Fire requested to Wyoming to fill in. Wyoming is working a structure fire.

UPDATE 12:03 p.m.: A deputy is out with a box truck and another vehicle off the road on Route 77 south of the village of Corfu.  

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: A Chevy silver Trac is off the road on Route 77.

UPDATE  12:42 p.m.: A tanker is off the road on Broadway Road.  A vehicle is off the road on Clinton Street Road.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: A tractor-trailer is stuck on Route 33 near Reed Road, Pembroke.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: A vehicle is off the road at Railroad and Broadway, Alexander.  A Spectrum truck is off the road, muddled location.

UPDATE 1:03 p.m.: A deputy is asked to return to 9575 Alleghany Road to assist with traffic control at the request of a tow truck operator. The deputy reports he just found another vehicle off the road and would check status before responding.

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: Traffic is blocked in both directions at some location on Route 77,

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: A deputy reports they were able to get one lane open.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Corfu fire police requested to shutdown southbound traffic at Route 33 for Route 77.  A Rav 4 is stuck in the road at Alleghany and Broadway, Darien.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: A deputy is out with a vehicle at Route 33 and Ellinwood Road, Corfu.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: A U-Haul is off the road on Route 33.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: A snowmobile rollover accident is reported on Slusser Road.  The patient is inside a residence with a leg injury. East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: An SUV vs. snowplow accident is reported at Ellicott Street Road and Bethany Le Roy Road. The SUV is on its side. Bethany Fire and Stafford Fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: From the Bethany accident, three ambulances - Bethany and two Mercy EMS units -- transporting patients to Strong.

UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: Route 20 at Route 63 is closed eastbound because of vehicles in the road.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: There are tractor-trailers blocking Route 77 near Flying J.  A deputy requested to help get them moved into the Flying J parking lot or the school parking lot.