Widespread Flooding, hazardous travel, and multiple road closures exist
From Allegany County,
Effective March 31, 2026, at 9:30 p.m., W. Brooke Harris, Chairman of the Board of Legislators, declared a State of Emergency for Allegany County. This Declaration was made after consultation with and recommendations from Allegany County Sheriff Scott Cicirello, Director of the Office of Emergency Management Scott Golden, and Superintendent of Public Works Tom Windus.
This local State of Emergency was declared because of severe weather occurring in the County of Allegany, including heavy rain causing widespread flooding, hazardous travel, and multiple road closures. These dangerous conditions are expected to continue through the night and the next several days, which have already and may continue to cause widespread damage and threaten public safety.
In addition, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office is recommending that motorists use extreme caution and only travel if necessary. Sheriff Cicirello further reminds motorsits to:
• Slow down and allow extra travel time,
• Watch for flooded roads, washed out shoulders, and debris,
• Obey all road closure signs and barricades, and
• Turn around and find an alternate route if standing water is encountered.
The Emergency Declaration will remain in effect for thirty days or until rescinded or renewed by a subsequent order.
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION
A State of Emergency is hereby declared in the County of Allegany, effective 9:30 p.m. on March 31, 2026.
This local State of Emergency has been declared because of severe weather occurring in the County of Allegany, including heavy rain causing widespread flooding, hazardous travel, and multiple road closures. These dangerous conditions are expected to continue through the night and the next several days, and have already and may continue to cause widespread damage and threaten public safety.
As the Chief Executive of the County of Allegany, I, W. Brooke Harris, Chairman of the Board of Legislators, exercise the authority given me under New York State Executive Law Section 24, to preserve the public health and public safety, and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, and health and safety of the citizens of the County of Allegany.
Local emergency orders may be enacted subsequent to this Declaration. This State of Emergency will remain in effect for thirty days or until rescinded or renewed by a subsequent order.
This Declaration shall be executed in quadruplicate and filed within seventy-two hours or as soon thereafter as practicable in the Office of the Clerk of the Allegany County Board of Legislators, the Office of the Allegany County Clerk, the New York State Secretary of State, and the New York State Office of Emergency Management within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Dated: March 31, 2026
W. Brooke Harris, Chairman
Allegany County Board of Legislators
