Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

State Representative Marty Causer is encouraging flood victims to contact municipal officals. "If you experienced, or are still experiencing, flood damage due to heavy rains on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 1, please be sure to report it to your local municipality as soon as possible," he said. If you have additional questions, contact your county emergency management agency: McKean County: 814-887-5070 Cameron County: 814-486-1137 Potter County: 814-274-8900

A flood warning is still in effect until this afternoon, when the Allegheny River at Olean and Salamanca is expected to drop below flood stage. In Olean, the river crested at 15.7 feet Thursday night. Flood stage is 10 feet. In Salamanca, the river crested at 15.2 feet at noon Thursday. The flood stage there is 12 feet. Most roads in the area closed by flooding remain closed.

The Cattaraugus County Office of Emergency Services, along with representatives of the county departments of Social Services, Aging, Health and Community Services, will be available at the newly opened Disaster Assistance Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the county office building in Olean (1 Leo Moss Drive). In order to assit the Office of Emergency Services with damage assessments, residents affected by flooding are encouraged to send photographs, documentation and any other materials related to expenses associated with the repair of damages to eoc@cattco.org or to 303 Court Street, Little Valley, New York, 14655. Materials will be accepted at the Disaster Assistance Center as well. For shelter assistance, contact the American Red Cross at 716-372-5800.

Thanks to Peggy Austin for sharing these pictures of the flooding in Portville. News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka says the Allegheny River should be below flood stage Saturday morning.

This is why Exit 23 (the Bradford exit) of Interstate 86 is closed. Photo courtesy of Peggy Austin

PA Route 346 in Eldred Township PA Route 44 in Ceres Township PA Route 446 in Eldred Township PA Route 1002 (Champlin Hill Road) in Annin Township PA Route 155 from Potter to McKean County PA Route 146 in the Red Mill area Route 305 South in Portville to the state line Route 417 Eastbound and Westbound at the Portville underpass Exit 23 Westbound Exit Ramp of Interstate 86 in the Town of Carrollton (Bradford exit) County Rod 26 -- Gile Hollow in Hinsdale County Road 60 in the Town of Allegany County Road 30 -- Chipmunk Road in the Town of Allegany Maple Avenue from 2nd Street to First Street in Allegany East River Road in the Town of Olean from Steam Valley Road to the city line Smith Road in the Town of Portville Steam Valley Road in the Tow of Portville from the bridge to Linn Road 1st Street in the Village of Allegany from Main Street to Pine Street Chapen Cross Road to Pine Street in Allegany

Thanks to Patty Gee from Allegany for this picture of the Port-A-Potties.

Flooding in Eldred has left no way in or out of the village. Also, emergency crews were called in for a water rescue in Bullis Mills at just after 5 p.m. If you have pictures of the flooding there, or anywhere in the area, send them to wesb@wesb.com . You can find information about flooding in Potter County, and parts of McKean County, at Solomon's Words . The following pictures are from Smethport: Big thanks to Nancy Connor for the photos of the flooding in Smethport.

A state of emergency has been declared for the Village of Allegany and Town of Portville because of flooding. Earlier today, Emergency Services and the American Red Cross set up shelters at Portville Central School and the Town of Olean Fire Department on Old Rock City Hill Road. A third shelter has now been opened at St. Bonaventure University’s Francis Hall. In addition to the Cattaraugus County roads that were closed earlier in the day, several more have been closed. They are: Maple Avenue from 2nd Street to First Street in Allegany East River Road in the Town of Olean from Steam Valley Road to the city line Smith Road in the Town of Portville Steam Valley Road in the Tow of Portville from the bridge to Linn Road 1st Street in the Village of Allegany from Main Street to Pine Street Chapen Cross Road to Pine Street in Allegany To see the list of others roads that are closed go here .

From Bruce Manning, Director McKean County EMA: The recent flooding in McKean County has caused damage to people’s homes and properties. If you are a home or business owner and have suffered loss to your home or business, contents, structure, land and improvements you might qualify for a Federal Small Business Administration loan. For the County to qualify there has to be 25 or more homes that have 40% or more uninsured loss of your property for this low interest Loan. You may contact the McKean County EMA office for further assessment of your damage to see if you may qualify for a Federal Small Business Administration Loan. Flood insurance is usually not part of a home owners insurance policy, you need to check your insurance policy, or with your agent. Call 814-887-5070 ext. 13 or 12. Photos courtes of Nancy Connor

Thanks to the listener/reader who sent in these pictures from Melvin Avenue. In Cattaraugus County, the Office of Emergency Services has opened a Disaster Operations Center as a result of localized regional flooding. Several roads are currently closed: Route 305 South in Portville to the state line Route 417 Eastbound and Westbound at the Portville underpass Exit 23 Westbound Exit Ramp of Interstate 86 in the Town of Carrollton (Bradford exit) County Rod 26 -- Gile Hollow in Hinsdale County Road 60 in the Town of Allegany County Road 30 -- Chipmunk Road in the Town of Allegany Emergency Services in conjunction wit teh American Red Cross has opened a shelter in the Portville Central School for anyone who needs to evacuate their home. Use the south side gym/cafeteria entrance, adn teh access road off Elm Street going around the back of the buildng. A second shelter has been established in the Town of Olean Fire Department at 1297 Old Rock City Hill Road by the Fire Department and the Ame...

Pamela Eschrich sent us this photo of the flooding in Johnsonburg. If you have pictures you'd like to share, send them to wesb@wesb.com

Extensive rain in McKean County has led to roadway flooding across the Allegheny River corridor. Numerous roads are flooded and closed in McKean County and drivers will encounter delays and potentially hazardous conditions traveling to work Thursday morning. Drivers traveling between New York and Pennsylvania will encounter closed and restricted roads. Closed roads include: * PA Route 346 in Eldred Township * PA Route 44 in Ceres Township * PA Route 446 in Eldred Township * PA Route 1002 (Champlin Hill Road) in Annin Township * PA Route 155 from Potter to McKean County * PA Route 146 in the Red Mill area PennDOT expects these roads to remain closed into Thursday afternoon. Drivers may also encounter roadways with water on them. Do not attempt to drive through standing water on roadways. Water may be deeper than it appears. Outside of McKean County, roadway flooding is widespread and also includes numerous roads in Potter, Cameron and Elk counties. Drivers are urged...