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West Seneca hit with ice jam flooding

Residents in West Seneca who were evacuated due to ice jam flooding, along Buffalo Creek, were let back in to their homes, Tuesday afternoon. West Seneca Supervisor Sheila Meegan says twelve homes, on School Street, near Union Road and Indian Church Road, were evacuated Monday night.
    
"We have advised all those families that have called us to call their insurance companies to make sure that their homeowners are put on notice," Meegan said.  

Before residents were allowed to return, she said, utility crews inspected gas and electric appliances to make sure they were safe to turn on. Meegan cautions though that threat of flooding continues.

"So, I told everyone, don't put your guard down yet. Because you never know with these creeks, at the blink of an eye, it can come up," Meegan said.  

The Red Cross opened a temporary shelter for evacuated residents in the Union Fire Hall, on Union Road, in West Seneca.  Red Cross Communications Officer Jay Bonafede says six people stayed Monday night.
    
"And really this is available to the entire community to come by. And even if they have another place to go, if they've been evacuated, but they have another place to go, they're still welcome to come and warm up, plug in a phone, get something to eat, do anything like that. Meet with one of our volunteers if that helps them. We have some mental health folks that will be available. So really all of that kind of comfort and support will be available here."  

School Street resident, Jesse Mediak says, he and his wife and their two young children stayed in a hotel, Monday night. But they spent Tuesday at the Red Cross shelter. Mediak says, he's never been evacuated before.  
    
"I'm 39 years old and it's the first time I've ever experienced anything like this. But it's really cool that they helped us right away with food and comfort right away. And they're really nice people here. So we're really lucky to have these people to help us," Mediak said.  

In South Buffalo, the Stevenson Street Bridge, over Cazenovia Creek, was closed Tuesday morning due to ice and debris jammed up against the bridge. Department of Public Works Senior Engineer Don Poleto says the bridge will remain closed until further notice. Poleto says the closure is out of an abundance of caution.   
 

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