BUFFALO — A wild nine-day stretch of weather that saw epic snow followed by spring-like temperatures, high winds, and flood fears came to a close Tuesday, and forecasters said the Buffalo area could expect an uneventful Thanksgiving.
There were isolated reports of melting snow flooding basements and pooling in yards and roads Tuesday, but the region dodged the widespread flooding that residents had feared when temperatures climbed well above freezing following as much as 7½ feet of snow last week.
A single flood warning for Ellicott Creek in suburban Williamsville was in effect through Wednesday morning, and the National Weather Service said counties south of Buffalo could see some freezing rain by then. But several other flood watches and warnings were lifted.
Buffalo students returned to school Tuesday after burning through five snow days. Districts in at least four other hard-hit towns won’t reopen until Dec. 1.
The lake-effect snow was blamed for at least a dozen deaths, including an Army veteran from northwestern Pennsylvania whose funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.