A relatively quick and heavy rain storm Saturday wreaked havoc on roads and residential properties in the southern part of Chautauqua County.
Saturday morning, the storm hit and dropped more than two inches of water in some places, causing damage to several local roads such as Frew Run Road and Old Warren Road in the town of Carroll, and Hunt Road and Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott and Lakewood.
"We've had a number of shoulders washed out and saw some pavement erosion on Martin Road and throughout the southern part of the county," said David Daversa, dispatch supervisor for the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities. "Jones and Gifford was under about six inches of water and even though some people were still trying to drive through it, for all intents and purposes, it's closed."
The parking lot of the Chautauqua Mall and the adjacent Sunset Valley golf course were under water for much of the day, as the stream that borders both properties overflowed from the sheer volume of water.
Shoppers exited the mall to find that they had to wade through several inches of water to make it to their vehicles, and if they tried to leave the parking lot through the exit on Fairmount Avenue across from Wendy's restaurant, another surprise was waiting.
The eastbound lanes of Fairmount Avenue all the way to Mall Boulevard were completely under water and officially closed when local crews arrived on the scene.
County-maintained roads which sustained damage Saturday were given temporary hazard markings and fixes but permanent solutions will begin on Monday morning and continue in the days ahead.
According to Steve McLaughlin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Buffalo, residents of Chautauqua County can expect relatively nice weather today and throughout the coming week.
"The storm was heavy, and quick Saturday afternoon but the worst is over," he said. "There may be some isolated rain Sunday, but temperatures will be in the 70s and summer should be coming right on schedule."
The rain caused Pete Scheira, the owner of Suburban Blend skate and snowboard shop in downtown Jamestown, to postpone the second-annual Block, Rock & Session skateboarding event. Scheduled to begin Saturday morning on East Third Street in front of his store, the competition will instead happen next Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
