It's been a wet spring in Chautauqua County - with more rain to come in the next few days.
With this rain comes the increased chance of flooded roads.
According to George Spanos, director of the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities, there are "many notorious roads in Chautauqua County that flood when we receive heavy rainfall," he said.
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A section of Jones and Gifford Avenue in Jamestown is pictured with a road flooded sign perched on the shoulder of the road. George Spanos, county public facilities director, said the road is in a notorious flood zone. More flooding is possible in the area over the next two days as heavy rains are forecast.
P-J?photo by Andrew Carr
Spanos said that some roads have even had damage to them already, including Route 9 in Ripley.
"Route 9 has been closed between Ottoway Road up to the intersection of 9 and Route 6, with local traffic only," he said.
Another road that has been a problem area is Route 71, he said.
"When we have flooding periods, Route 71, which is the Kabob Road in South Stockton, always floods and people should be extra careful driving that route. If there is water over the road, they should not be driving through it," he said.
Both of these roads were closed Monday and Tuesday, and may continue to be closed, depending on the amount of precipitation the area receives.
"It depends on how much rain we get, but those are notorious roads that have been closed every time we witness heavy rains," he said.
Other problem routes, according to Spanos, include Route 42 in Poland Center and Jones and Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. Spanos said the water level on Jones and Gifford is currently up to the center line, but has not crossed over yet.
Chautauqua Lake also has a high water level, he said.
"We have a contractor working on the Stow Ferry, and he said that the lake level is very high and they cannot be working," Spanos said. "But the lake itself is as high as it has ever been according to the contractor, who has been working here since last year."
Those who drive in the areas of flooding should be aware of high water areas, Spanos said.
"They should be aware that if there is water on the road, they should not go through," he said.
According to Bob Hamilton, meteorologist of the National Weather Service in Buffalo, the area will be experiencing, "continued very unsettling weather."
Hamilton said that Wednesday night and Thursday will bring showers our way, which will continue to add to the flooding.
"Between one to two inches of rain are expected between now and Friday," he said. "There is a possibility of severe flooding (today)."
The weekend is looking up however, with better weather expected, he said.