UPDATED News from the Town of Wellsville Emergency Coordinator Chris Martelle
If you have damage from the flooding contact the Allegany County Office of Emergency Management 585-268-5290
By Andrew Harris
Truax Road closed from Proctor Road to Trapping Brook
Trapping Brook Road open but use caution at Voorhees Hill
A major storm with damaging hail and massive downpours resulted in a state of emergency by Town of Wellsville Supervisor Shad Alsworth last evening about 715pm. That state of emergency has been lifted but officials warn with a travel advisory in place with multiple road closures.
Alsworth: We still have a road closure from Trapping Brook to Proctor Road on Traux Road. We also have restricted travel on Voorhies Road. Town crews will be working thru the weekend to make repairs and continue to open culvert pipes on multiple roads that have been plugged with debris.
Town of Wellsville Emergency Services Coordinator and Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Chief Chris Martelle just provided a report on the storm and aftermath.
“This storm began at about 6:55pm last night and caused flash flooding throughout the south east side of the village and town of Wellsville. All Wellsville fire department companies, the Wellsville Rescue Squad, Willing Fire Department, Bolivar Fire Department, and Allentown Fire Department were deployed. The Scio Fire Department provided stand-by.”
According to Martelle, first responders were focusing efforts from the North Broad Street in the village, down the Trapping Brook corridor to the Voorhees Hill intersection. Several other isolated instances of flash flooding have also been reported in Whitesville and Elm Valley.
Martelle was happy to report that no casualties, human or animal, had been reported but that one landmark business did sustain heavy flooding.
“Funland” roller skating rink on the Baldwin Road was inundated with flood waters and the extent of the damages are yet to be determined. We have been working with them all day today and will continue to help however we can as that floor slowly dries,” said Martelle.
Martelle commended local fire and rescue teams for rapid response to a very fast, violent storm. One home was evacuated due to danger re: electrical lines, and many basements were pumped out.
The next steps in the clean up hinge on the findings and support of the NYS Office of Emergency Services. Martelle expects to be working with them and the Allegany County Office of Emergency Services in the coming days to determine who, and how this clean up will be accomplished.
Again, if you have flood damage and you have not reported it yet, please contact the Allegany County Office of Emergency Services as soon as possible.
Emergency chiefs and response teams are meeting now to take stock of the damages and plan for the next steps. We will have that full report later this afternoon:
