By WBFO News
Buffalo, NY – Nine hikers and their two dogs stranded overnight in Zoar Valley were rescued Monday morning by the Erie County Air One police helicopter.
Officials say the group was hiking along Cattaraugus Creek when the water level began rising due to heavy thunderstorms upstream. They scaled a cliff to get away from the water.
Air One was able to take the seven hikers and two dogs up out of the gorge in groups of two just after sunrise. All are said to be in good shape.
A tornado warning was in effect for a time Sunday night in southern Chautauqua County, after a possible tornado was spotted on National Weather Service Doppler radar. No tornadoes were reported on the ground, although there were some heavy thunderstorms with gusty winds across Western New York.
Hail as large as one inch in diameter was reported in Cheektowaga at around 2:00 Sunday afternoon. Winds estimated at over 60 miles per hour were also reported, which blew down some tree limbs and utility poles.