WEST SENECA, N.Y. — Lexington Green resident Larry Kosicki remembers the day four years ago when an ice jam caused the Buffalo Creek to swell over its banks flooding his neighborhood.
Now with temperatures expected to spike over the next couple of days, he's worried it could happen again.
"I'd like to stay optimistic. Some steps were done. We'll see. I'm kind of hoping the conditions this time don't seem to be as intense as they were four years ago," said Kosicki.
West Seneca Disaster Management Coordinator John Gullo says they're closely watching the creeks to make sure the water is flowing downstream and the ice doesn't jam. There's also an emergency plan for Lexington Green.
"For that particular neighborhood, we have a portable pump and hoses on standby. Once that temperature gets up higher and we believe we need that pump in place, we'll stage it in that subdivision, and then when the time comes, when we need to put it in place, we just hook it up," said Gullo.
Following the flood, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shored up a berm—the idea was that if a flood should occur, it would prevent the floodwaters from overflowing its banks and flowing into the community.
But so far, the berm hasn't really been tested.
"Since that incident occurred, we had a couple of good weather seasons. Hopefully we don't have to experience that again, but if we do, the bags are there in place to hold the ice back, but not the water," said Gullo.
Meantime, while Gullo is hopeful the berm won't be tested, he's urging residents to be prepared just in case.
“Whenever we get in situations like this, I try to remind people it's not 'if' but 'when' the next event’s going to happen for your neighborhood. Just be diligent enough to make sure your sump pumps are flowing and they get the discharges out and it's open. And along with anything you can do to get things off the floor if you're in a flood prone area, like that subdivision is." said Gullo.
Gullo says they'll be monitoring the rivers and creeks in the area around the clock.