MARCH 04

1979 

March 4th-6th...flood waters from rain swollen, ice clogged streams sent scores of western New York families to higher ground and caused tens of thousands of dollars damage from the 4th to the 6th. A State of Emergency was declared in West Seneca on the 5th. At least 46 families were evacuated in the towns of Brant and West Seneca and in the Village of Alden. Huge ice jams blocked Buffalo Creek in West Seneca where the ice also toppled utility poles and caused disruption of telephone service to an estimated 1500 customers. About 100 families left Sunset Bay in Chautauqua County where ice jams caused Cattaraugus Creek to flood low lying areas with as much as three feet of water. Flooding also caused problems on Ellicott and Tonawanda creeks. Further east, 15 foot flood waters forced the evacuation of several families just outside Albion in Orleans County.

1993

Low pressure over the mid-Atlantic states moved north and spread abundant Gulf and Atlantic moisture across the Lower Great Lakes area. Across Western New York, snowfall amounts ranges from six to twelve inches. The heavy snows, combined with strong gusty winds, created treacherous driving conditions. Several school districts were forced to close. Specific snowfall reports included: 11" at Friendship, Allegany County; 10" at Sherman in Chautauqua County; 8" at Franklinville in Cattaraugus County, Batavia in Genesee County, and Portageville in Wyoming County; and 6" at Avon in Livingston County.

1996

A cold flow across Lakes Erie and Ontario produced lake effect snow squalls. East of Lake Ontario six to ten inches of snow fell. While 70% of Lake Erie was ice covered, Sinclairville reported 11 inches, Arcade 10 inches, Colden 8 inches and Delevan 6 inches.

1999

Deep low pressure moved from West Virginia north across New York to Quebec, Canada. Heavy rain changed to heavy snow as cold air circulated into the region. Snow fell at the rate of two to three inches per hour. Across Monroe and Wayne counties snowfall amounts were greatest with over two feet falling. Snow fall amounts dropped off both east and west of that area. The strong winds off Lake Ontario resulted in blizzard conditions over Monroe and Wayne counties for nearly six hours. Drifts reached four to five feet in places. The New York State Thruway (I-90) was closed from Depew to Syracuse. Several hundred cars were stranded in the closed section. The Governor declared Monroe, Wayne, Oswego, Wyoming, Livingston, and Cayuga counties State Disaster Areas. Orleans, Ontario, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe and Wayne counties were also declared Federal Disaster Areas. The National Guard was called on to help remove cars, rescue stranded motorists and deliver food and medical supplies. Schools and businesses were closed throughout the area. Nearly 10,000 customers lost power during the storm. Specific snowfall reports included: Hamlin 28"; Perinton and Fairport 26"; Penfield 25"'; Ontario and Rochester Airport 24"; Walworth 23"; Victor 22"; Greece and Webster 20"; Portageville 17"; Palmyra, Canandaigua, Avon and Franklinville 16"; Mt. Morris 15"; Dansville 14"; Oswego, Honeoye, and Angelica 13"; Batavia, Friendship and Albion 12"; Olean, Alfred, Whitesville, and Strykersville 11"; Sodus and Salamanca 10"; Bennington 9"; Wales 8"; and Darien and Arkwright 7".

2002

4TH-5TH...Cold air crossing the relatively warm, unfrozen waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario produced lake effect snows. Off Lake Erie, snow showers and squalls began Sunday evening (3rd) and focused over the western southern tier counties with overnight accumulations around a foot. The band held together close to the lake through most of the daylight hours of the 4th, despite the strong March sun. The band intensified during the evening as it drifted north into central Erie County. Six to fourteen inches of snow fell over the southern suburbs of Buffalo between 9PM Monday and 6AM Tuesday. Specific amounts included: Arkwright 23"; Sherman 22"; Perrysburg 21"; South Dayton and Hamburg 14"; Dunkirk and Sinclairville 12"; Westfield and West Seneca 10"; Warsaw 9"; Orchard Park 8"; Franklinville and Colden 7"; and Angelica 6". Off Lake Ontario, a strong single band developed over Oswego and Lewis Counties. The band meandered little so some areas got over a foot. The band drifted south briefly dropping over a half a foot over northern Cayuga County. Specific amounts reported: North Osceola 14"; Highmarket 12"; Oswego 11" and Martville 7".

2008

4th-5th...Low pressure developed over the lower Mississippi valley and lifted to the Ohio valley. The storm brought a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to the region. A general snow of four to six inches blanketed the entire region and was followed by several inches of sleet and up to a half inch of glaze from freezing rain. Schools were closed in many parts of the region. Some County officials declared States of Emergency, while others recommended no unnecessary travel. Utility companies reported scattered power outages affected tens of thousands of customers across the region.