Mar 21, 2003
An abrupt change to warmer weather at mid-month resulted in a quick meltdown of the winter snowpack. Area creeks rose to near or above bankful. In the southern tier, the Allegheny River exceeded flood stage at both Olean and Salamanca, cresting at 11.6 feet and 12 feet, respectively.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5347071). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Cattaraugus County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.