Jul 16, 2020
A mesoscale convective vortex pulled a pair of fronts across the area during the afternoon and evening near the time of peak heating. Due to cloud cover ahead of the MCV, instability was not very strong, however shear was impressive. Helicity values were impressive, and the presence of the MCV likely added to it locally over the western Southern Tier. Precipitable water values were between 1.75 and 2 inches, which resulted in torrential rainfall in concert with severe thunderstorm development.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 912668). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Erie County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.