In what seems to be a common occurrence in spring and summer, many Canandaigua residents have looked to the skies to find ominous dark clouds forming and paid extra attention to the warnings on their weather apps.
Flood watch for Ontario County. Be on the lookout for tornadoes in the Finger Lakes. Tree and limb damage closing roads. Many times, the clouds pass, the rain falls and everyone is safe.
Except for when it is anything but safe.
Heavy rain pelted Canandaigua and other parts of Ontario County on July 9, 2023, causing extensive flooding as 5.8 inches of rain fell, and nearly 4 inches of that rained down during a 45-minute period, on that summer Sunday. The National Weather Service in Buffalo confirmed that a tornado touched down in Canandaigua on July 15, 2024, damaging trees in Kershaw Park and homes and businesses nearby.
There is understandable anxiety for citizens who’ve been impacted by flooding and wind events, said Canandaigua City Council member Gwen Van Laeken. She, fellow Council member Donna Cator and City Manager John Goodwin have organized an upcoming event to help residents learn what happens when the storm hits.
The flooding along Sucker Brook in 2023 was painful, and for many, that experience is still very present – especially when severe weather moves in, said Van Laeken.
“Some residents have shared that they feel a bit more reassured now, but they still want a clearer understanding of what happens during an emergency and what to expect if it happens again,” Van Laeken said. “That’s really the purpose of this event. When people understand how emergency response works, including how decisions are made, how resources are prioritized, and how information is shared, hopefully it can help reduce uncertainty in what is already a stressful situation.”
That knowledge also helps residents make more informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Canandaigua first responders to shed light on emergencies
Canandaigua City Council and city staff will host a public information session April 30 to help residents understand what to expect during a weather emergency and how response decisions are made when their street is affected by flooding or storm damage.
This collaborative event brings together the Canandaigua Fire and Police departments, the Department of Public Works and Canandaigua Emergency Squad to provide a coordinated, real-world look at how emergency response works across different agencies.
Representatives from these agencies will participate in a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session.
What to know about emergency responses in Canandaigua
Here’s what residents can expect to learn from this upcoming information session:
“Our city staff work hard to keep our community safe,” Cator said. “This workshop gives residents the opportunity to connect, learn how response decisions are made, and ask questions.”
If you go
The free program will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 30 (doors open at 4:30 p.m.) at the Canandaigua Emergency Squad, 223 N. Pearl St., Canandaigua.
The city has learned a lot from recent events, and this is part of continuing an open dialogue with the community, Van Laeken said. The event is open to the public.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Canandaigua residents can learn about storm response
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
