May 15, 2020
Between 1.5 and 2.0 inches of rain fell in the drainage basin of the Walnut Creek upstream from Silver Creek. Because of the geometry of the basin, this is enough to cause a rapid rise of water downstream in the town of Silver Creek. The river gauge installed there indicated a rapid rise to a crest of 7.63 feet, above the nominal flood stage of 7 feet after 5:55 PM. It quickly receded. The areas that include Rix, Oliver, and Dana Streets all flooded and were temporarily evacuated.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 894756). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Chautauqua County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.