Lots to weather: Harsh conditions define 2024 across WNY

- Congressman Nick Langworthy spoke about the GRAPE Act to support local agriculture at an event earlier this year.
Wednesday, July 10, a tornado struck northern Chautauqua County. The heaviest impact was felt in the town of Arkwright and the hamlet of Forestville. Heavy winds and rain ravaged Prospect Road in Forestville, which County Executive P.J. Wendel defined later that day as “tornadic activity.”
Within days, the National Weather Service estimated winds reached 100 miles per hour, with a path length of three miles and a maximum width of 150 yards. The tornado began in the Town of Arkwright at 12:06 p.m. on July 10 and ended in the Town of Hanover at 12:14 p.m.
On Prospect Road, multiple structures experienced roof and wall failures, and a grove of hardwood trees was destroyed. However, there were no fatalities or serious injuries reported.
“We are very fortunate that this tornado did not result in any fatalities or significant injuries,” said Wendel. “I want to thank our first responders and the community for their quick actions and resilience during this event.”

From July 10 to 16, 22 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flooding affected multiple Upstate communities. Governor Kathy Hochul announced up to $11 million in emergency assistance for eligible homeowners and municipalities in the seven counties impacted.
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This past summer was far from the only severe weather event to impact western New York.
Last January, a heavy winter storm impacted travel, especially on the interstate highway. According to the State Thruway Authority, all westbound lanes were blocked in the Brigham Road and Temple Road vicinity due to an accident.
But that was far from an isolated incident.

Congressman Nick Langworthy spoke about the GRAPE Act to support local agriculture at an event earlier this year.
This winter, multiple storms have severely impacted travel. In one instance, a motorist traveling from Gerry to Fredonia slid off the road and into a ditch. Fortunately, Fredonia Police came to her aid and took her to Fredonia Place while her car was lifted from the ditch. Wintry conditions also persisted as highway department vehicles slid off the road in Sheridan.
Schools across western New York had snow days on several occasions already this year. Fredonia’s contentious Capital Project vote was even postponed for a day because of winter weather. Additionally, the City of Dunkirk’s Christmas on Central Small Business Saturday Holiday Market was canceled and the tree lighting ceremony was moved. Not even the National Football League was immune to the impact, as the Buffalo Bills even canceled practice due to the weather earlier this year.
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While last winter was not as severe as this one seems to be, wintry conditions much later than expected led to very costly impacts on one of the region’s biggest industries. This past summer, experts estimated approximately 75% of the Concord grape harvest in Chautauqua County was damaged by a late April frost.
“That’s millions and millions of dollars. This is a huge impact,” County Executive P.J. Wendel said.
According to a document prepared by Dr. Terry Bates with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the damage was much worse on the eastern side of Chautauqua County along Lake Erie than the western side. Projected crop loss ranges from around 15-20% at the state border in Ripley, to 50-75% in Westfield, to 80-100% near Silver Creek.
The issue was unique to Chautauqua County. In comparison, 0-5% of the grape crop near North East, Pa. may have been affected by the freeze.
To combat the issue, Congressman Nick Langworthy introduced the GRAPE Act, which stands for Grape Research and Protection Expansion Act. Langworthy said of his proposed legislation, “I am committed to fighting for the inclusion of this provision in the upcoming Farm Bill to provide grape growers across the United States with affordable crop insurance, safeguarding their livelihoods and ensuring the continued success of our agricultural communities.”
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Langworthy was not alone in proposed legislation related to issues in nature this past year. One of the most commonly referenced points of discussion at meetings all across the region this past year was the idea of wind turbines being placed in Lake Erie.
The activist group known as Citizens Against Wind Turbines in Lake Erie (CAWTILE) sent representatives to municipalities all throughout the region this past year asking town and village boards to issue a resolution against the placement of wind turbines in the lake. In many instances, their efforts were successful, including in the Town of Hanover, home to lakeside properties in Hanford Bay and Sunset Bay, and even in Arkwright, which itself hosts wind turbines that provide revenue to the Town and its residents.
Several rallies were also held this year in opposition to the placement of wind turbines in Lake Erie. Although the possibility still remains, it is clear that many residents in Chautauqua County and beyond are strongly opposed to the idea.
Those in opposition to wind turbines in general did get one victory this past year, however, as a turbine placed near the thru-way exit in Dunkirk/Fredonia was taken down. The turbine next to the Fredonia exit was supposed to help power the State’s Thruway Authority operations, but it did not deliver on those promises. As previously reported by M.J. Stafford of The OBSERVER, a lawsuit was filed by York State against the contractor who erected it.
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Of all the events and discussions surrounding weather and nature this past year, none garnered more attention than the event that made Monday, April 8 a day to remember in western New York: the solar eclipse.
Hundreds gathered at the Dunkirk City Pier to view the once in a lifetime event, which reached its totality at 3:17 p.m. that afternoon. The sky turned from a cloudy gray to pitch black, as a cool breeze swept across the shores. Although clouds filled the sky, the impact of the event was still felt.
The tourism impact of the event was also felt by the region, as thousands flocked to Chautauqua County because of its placement along the path of totality. However, County officials overestimated the potential impact of the event.
Noel Guttman, Chautauqua County Emergency Coordinator, estimated close to 250,000 people would visit the region over the course of the event and the days prior. He added, “I hope that I’m 100% wrong, because if not, it’s going to be a very busy day for our first responders.”
Even though the crowds were nowhere near what was anticipated, City of Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz was pleased with the response from the City.
“After over a year of planning, I don’t think we could have asked for anything to move any smoother than it already has. I think our Police Department, our Fire Department, our DPW, everybody came together,” Wdowiasz said. “… I couldn’t be more proud of the team.”