Alert archive / New York / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 8, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 21, 2026Erie County, Niagara County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2026, 2:58 PM EDT for Erie County, Niagara County, New York. It was in force for 5 hr. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jul 21, 2026, 2:58 PM EDT (18:58 UTC)
Expired: Jul 21, 2026, 7:43 PM EDT
In force: 5 hr
Issued by: NWS Buffalo, NY
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Erie County, NY, Niagara County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 21 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:58 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 21, 3:42 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Nw Niagara Falls, NY	Received report on Facebook of water rescue with photo of vehicle stuck in flood waters on College Avenue.
Jul 21, 4:22 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Pendleton, NY	Received report via mPING of roads closed due to flooding.
Jul 21, 4:25 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ene North Tonawanda, NY	Received report via mPING of roads closed due to flooding.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 7.0 hours before the alert went out and 24 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 300 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -122 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1133 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 162 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 153 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

746 
WGUS51 KBUF 211858
FFWBUF
NYC029-063-212300-
/O.NEW.KBUF.FF.W.0008.260721T1858Z-260721T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
258 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northern Erie County in western New York...
  Southern Niagara County in western New York...

* Until 700 PM EDT.

* At 258 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain 
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Lockport, Amherst, Tonawanda, 
  Grand Island, Pendleton, Lewiston, Sanborn, Pendleton Center, 
  Cambria Center, East Amherst, Rapids, Ransomville, Model City, 
  Gasport and Wolcottsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where 
you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become 
killers in heavy rains. Hikers in the Niagara Gorge and Niagara 
Falls State Park should avoid areas of fast moving water.

&&

LAT...LON 4299 7881 4296 7894 4296 7896 4299 7902
      4302 7902 4306 7900 4307 7901 4308 7908
      4311 7906 4312 7907 4314 7904 4317 7905
      4320 7905 4321 7906 4325 7876 4324 7857
      4319 7851 4312 7851 4301 7855

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Hitchcock

4 follow-up statements

329 
WGUS71 KBUF 212126
FFSBUF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
526 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC029-063-212300-
/O.CON.KBUF.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260721T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Erie NY-Niagara NY-
526 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING 
FOR NORTHEASTERN ERIE AND SOUTHERN NIAGARA COUNTIES...

At 526 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have 
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in 
the warned area. Numerous reports of flash flooding and ponding in 
poor drainage areas have been received near Niagara Falls and 
Tonawanda.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Lockport, Amherst, Tonawanda, 
  Grand Island, Pendleton, Lewiston, Sanborn, Pendleton Center, 
  Cambria Center, East Amherst, Rapids, Ransomville, Model City, 
  Gasport and Wolcottsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 4299 7881 4296 7894 4296 7896 4299 7902
      4302 7902 4306 7900 4307 7901 4308 7908
      4311 7906 4312 7907 4314 7904 4317 7905
      4320 7905 4321 7906 4325 7876 4324 7857
      4319 7851 4312 7851 4301 7855

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Brothers

205 
WGUS71 KBUF 212246
FFSBUF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
646 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC063-212256-
/O.CAN.KBUF.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260721T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Niagara NY-
646 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHERN NIAGARA COUNTY...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to 
heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4307 7904 4307 7895 4305 7890 4302 7888
      4302 7884 4303 7882 4305 7883 4309 7873
      4309 7864 4307 7859 4309 7856 4309 7852
      4301 7855 4299 7881 4296 7894 4299 7901
      4306 7900

$$

NYC029-212300-
/O.CON.KBUF.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260721T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Erie NY-
646 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING 
FOR NORTHEASTERN ERIE COUNTY...

At 646 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have 
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in 
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  North Tonawanda, Amherst, Tonawanda, Grand Island, Pendleton, East 
  Amherst, Clarence Center and Rapids.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 4307 7904 4307 7895 4305 7890 4302 7888
      4302 7884 4303 7882 4305 7883 4309 7873
      4309 7864 4307 7859 4309 7856 4309 7852
      4301 7855 4299 7881 4296 7894 4299 7901
      4306 7900

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Brothers

813 
WGUS51 KBUF 212248
FFWBUF
NYC029-220000-
/O.EXT.KBUF.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260722T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
648 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Erie County in western New York...

* Until 800 PM EDT.

* At 648 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are 
  possible in the warned area.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  North Tonawanda, Amherst, Tonawanda, Grand Island, Pendleton, East 
  Amherst, and Rapids.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 4307 7904 4307 7895 4305 7890 4302 7888
      4302 7884 4303 7882 4305 7883 4309 7873
      4309 7864 4307 7859 4309 7856 4309 7852
      4301 7855 4299 7881 4296 7894 4299 7901
      4306 7900

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Brothers

643 
WGUS71 KBUF 212343
FFSBUF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
743 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC029-212353-
/O.CAN.KBUF.FF.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260722T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Erie NY-
743 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN ERIE COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4307 7904 4307 7895 4305 7890 4302 7888
      4302 7884 4303 7882 4305 7883 4309 7873
      4309 7864 4307 7859 4309 7856 4309 7852
      4301 7855 4299 7881 4296 7894 4299 7901
      4306 7900

$$

Brothers

The office that day

Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 21, 9:08 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Chautauqua	67 min
Jul 21, 9:47 AM EDT	Special Marine Warning	BUF		58 min
Jul 21, 9:58 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Chautauqua	46 min
Jul 21, 11:17 AM EDT	Special Marine Warning	BUF		38 min
Jul 21, 11:45 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans	29 min
Jul 21, 1:26 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego	28 min
Jul 21, 1:29 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	BUF		61 min
Jul 21, 2:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Erie, Niagara	55 min
Jul 21, 5:32 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Chautauqua	58 min
Jul 21, 5:41 PM EDT	Beach Hazards Statement	BUF	Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego and 1 more	32 hr
Jul 21, 5:51 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Monroe, Ontario, Wayne	54 min
Jul 21, 6:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wyoming	76 min
Jul 21, 7:58 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BUF	Ontario	31 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in New York, 2026 Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.