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Heavy rain temporarily traps drivers crossing flooded road
 | | A SINKING FEELING... Heavy rains on July 19 caused at least three sink holes to form in the road near the traffic circle where Mapleview Road meets Merrymont Drive. The driver of this vehicle struck a hole- which was covered by a metal plate- when she attempted to avoid the hole at right. (Times photo) |
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A record rainfall last week caused localized flooding around town, and in at least two instances, area firefighters were summoned to assist motorists stranded by the weather.
The July 19 rainfall measured 1.88 inches at the Buffalo office of the National Weather Service, on Aero Drive. The figure represents a record for July 19, surpassing the previous high of 1.23 inches in 1966.
A late afternoon deluge overwhelmed the storm sewers along Union Road where the Norfolk- Southern Railroad passes over the road.
Forks firefighters were sent to that area at 5:19 p.m. after at least one driver became trapped in roughly three feet of water that collected underneath the overpass.
At roughly the same time, another driver was surprised when her car fell into a deep curbside hole while she tried to pass a separate hole that opened up in the Mapleview Road- Merrymont Drive intersection.
The driver was not injured, but her vehicle required towing.
Less than three hours earlier, a school bus fell into the same curbside hole, which was subsequently covered by a work crew with a metal plate. However, the plate did not prevent the second accident.
Other notes from Cheektowaga, Depew and Sloan fire departments from July 13-19:
Bellevue
No fire was found after firefighters responded to 115 Indian Road for a possible electrical fire on July 17 at 7:40 p.m.
Firefighters responded to nine Emergency Medical Service calls.
Cleveland Hill
Cleveland Hill, Hy-View and U-Crest firefighters stood by on July 18 at 7:53 a.m. while an airplane with a malfunctioning hydraulic system approached the runway at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. The plane landed safely.
Firefighters responded to a report of a gasoline spill in the parking lot at 100 Old Maryvale Drive on July 18 at 1:19 p.m. but their services were not required.
New York State Electric & Gas officials were notified on July 19 after wires were reported arcing near a transformer at 4723 Union Road at 7:28 p.m.
National Grid officials were notified on July 19 after a report of sparks coming from a utility pole near 44 Coralwood Court at 10:55 p.m. EMS calls: nine.
Depew
A July 13 report at 11:10 p.m. of a utility pole "smoking" near 323 South Creek Drive was found to be open burning. The resident was advised of the village's ordinance prohibiting this type of fire.
Meat in a microwave oven caused a fire alarm to activate inside a business at 631 Dick Road on July 14 at 1:38 a.m.
Doyle
A July 13 report of a "sparking" electrical outlet at 33 Fairelm Lane at 12:19 a.m. was linked to a faulty electrical switch breaker.
A July 15 report at 8:32 p.m. of a possible electrical fire inside a wall at 55 Dennis Lane was determined to have been caused by a faulty electrical outlet.
A 13-year-old girl was taken to Women and Children's Hospital on July 19 after she was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle near 74 South Rossler Avenue at 1:03 p.m.
EMS calls: 15.
Forks
One person was extricated from the wreckage of a July 10 motor vehicle accident that occurred at 5:59 a.m. in the eastbound Thruway ramp to the Kensington Expressway.
A woman was taken to Erie County Medical Center on July 16 following an 11:37 a.m. motor vehicle accident in which her vehicle struck a tree in front of 3484 Union Road. A picture from the accident appeared in the July 19 edition of the Times.
Two persons were transported to local hospitals on July 17 following a 4:43 p.m. motor vehicle accident in the westbound lanes of the Thruway near Broadway.
EMS calls: two.
Hy-View
Two persons were sent to local hospitals following a July 16 motor vehicle accident that occurred at 2:33 p.m. near 28 Hatch Court.
Firefighters stood by on July 16 while Depew firefighters participated in a drill at 7:06 p.m.
EMS calls: six.
Pine Hill
An odor of gasoline inside a residence at 56 Pendennis Place, reported at 9:28 p.m. on July 13, was linked to a problem with the sewer. Firefighters ventilated the structure.
Burnt food on a stove at 54 Marne Road caused a fire alarm to activate on July 17 at 8:08 p.m.
EMS calls: three.
Rescue
One person was transported to Erie County Medical Center after suffering a head injury in a July 19 motor vehicle accident that occurred at 3:09 p.m. at the intersection of Walden Avenue and Anderson Road.
EMS calls: six.
Sloan
One person involved in a July 15 motor vehicle accident that occurred near 115 Atlantic Avenue at 9:29 p.m. declined first aid.
EMS calls: six.
South Line
Speedy Dry absorbent material was applied to a hydraulic fluid spill in the road on Marrano Parkway on July 13 at 10:33 p.m.
EMS calls: 13.
U-Crest
A small fire inside a wall heating unit at a hotel located at 760 Dick Road was extinguished on July 14 at 11:47 p.m. Forks and Hy-View firefighters assisted at the scene and Rescue firefighters stood by at the U-Crest fire hall.
A fire alarm that activated from the loading dock area of the Old Navy store at Walden Galleria was pulled by a child. The business was advised by firefighters to place a cover over the alarm box following the 5:33 p.m. incident on July 15.
A July 15 report of a possible garage fire on Beach Road near Genesee Street at 6:52 p.m. was found to be open burning, and the resident was advised of the town's open burning code.
One person was taken to Erie County Medical Center following an 8:13 a.m. motor vehicle accident during which a vehicle rolled over in the eastbound lanes of the Kensington Expressway on July 16.
Hot coals from a grill discarded in a trash bin at 4276 Union Road caused its contents to catch fire on July 16 at 5:37 p.m.
No hazard was found after firefighters responded to the area of Smith and Genesee streets on July 17 at 1:12 a.m. for a report of an odor of natural gas.
EMS calls: nine.
The fire districts responded to eight false alarms that were set off by faulty detectors, malfunctions or human error.
Note: This is a summary of fire district responses, except in the event of major incidents, which will continue to be reported by the Times in greater detail in stories separate from the log. All hospital transportation is provided by Rural/Metro ambulance personnel.
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