Roads reopen in Town of Canandaigua; Officials are working to assess damage

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — Ontario County officials say all roads reopened on Monday in the Town of Canandaigua after severe flash flooding on Sunday afternoon. However, West Gibson Street in the City of Canandaigua remains closed.

At a press conference on Monday morning, Ontario County officials spoke about the flooding that impacted nearly 100 homes. State and local officials are still assessing the damage. The west side of Main Street in downtown Canandaigua had the most damage since that’s where a bank overflowed.

“The water has been slow to recede so it’s been hard to get assessment crews in there to see exactly how extensive the damage is,” said Ontario County Administrator Chris DeBolt.

The flooding hit Canandaigua, Gorham, Farmington, Hopewell, and Bristol on Sunday. Some roads went underwater, sending neighbors and business owners scrambling for cover. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for Ontario County and is providing emergency aid.

DeBolt said 836 RG&E customers across Canandaigua lost electricity on Sunday. By Monday morning, that number was down to 682. RG&E is conducting a damage assessment to determine how they can restore power to the rest of the homes but there’s no estimated time yet of when people could get power back.

The National Weather Service reported that the Canandaigua airport got nearly 6 inches of rain over the course of three hours. Because of the flooding, Ontario County provided emergency housing to nine residents.

Anyone who is in need of temporary shelter because of the flooding should call the Ontario County Dispatch non-emergency number at 585-394-4560. Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 911.

The American Red Cross of Western New York is currently providing assistance to the Ontario County residents impacted by the flooding caused by heavy rainfalls. The Red Cross is providing essential support to a shelter operated by Ontario County at the Zion Fellowship, 5188 Bristol Road, Canandaigua.

Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione said an electrical worker was shocked during the flooding and he was taken to Strong Hospital by ambulance. There’s no word on his condition yet but he didn’t lose consciousness.

On Sunday between 2:30 p.m. and midnight, Ontario County dispatchers received 161 calls for fire assistance, 41 EMS calls, 151 county law enforcement requests, and 63 request for Canandaigua City police services.

Town of Canandaigua Music in the Park, originally planned for Wednesday, is rescheduled because of the flooding at Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park. Also, the gorge trail in Gananda Park is closed. Cirencione is asking boaters to use caution on Canandaigua Lake because of the debris.

You can see the full press conference on the flooding here: