Flooding impacts nearly 100 homes in Ontario County; Governor declares State of Emergency

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – Ontario County is working to recover after severe flash flooding on Sunday afternoon impacted nearly 100 homes and displaced residents.

The flooding hit Canandaigua, Gorham, Farmington, Hopewell, and Bristol. Some roads went underwater, sending neighbors and business owners scrambling for cover.

Canandaigua received close to four inches of rain in less than two hours. Several roads in Canandaigua including Cooley Road, Short Road, county road 16, and county road 30 reopened on Monday morning after being closed for flooding. Other streets within the City of Canandaigua are still closed while crews are clearing debris.

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for Ontario County and is providing emergency aid. State rescue teams will do door-to-door welfare checks on the most flooded neighborhoods. In addition, the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is helping local emergency services.

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.

RELATED: Viewer-submitted photos of flooding in Canandaigua

The Ontario County Sheriff is urging people to take extra care because of the flooding. News10NBC spoke with a farmer and a local motel owner in Canandaigua on Sunday after the rain stopped. The farmer, Matt Knopf, said his herd of alpacas out in a field had water up to their necks. Farmers were able to corral them back toward higher ground.

“So she literally had to swim out into the field to halter the two alpacas and bring them up to a higher pasture,” Knopf said.

Just a mile or two down the road, Miami Motel owner Dennis Calkins said he will spend the night drying out seven of the hotel rooms. All flooded as the water came pouring in.

“The water was coming close to the doorway. By this time, the ground was turning from green to brown because it was all coming across the road,” Calkins said.

Thankfully the alpacas are ok and the guests who are staying in those lower-floor hotel rooms were moved to higher ground and placed in second-floor rooms, so they have a place to say. Local leaders set up a temporary shelter at the Zion Episcopal Church on Sunday to keep residents safe.

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.

You can see the latest forecast here and download the First Alert Weather App here.

News10NBC live from Canandaigua at 11 p.m. Sunday: