Mandatory evacuation applies to the towns of Hanover and Sheridan in all areas of Hanford Bay and Sunset Bay. According to the release, this includes all lakeshore areas north of the railroad tracks. Additionally, Mandatory Evacuation is valid within the village of Silver Creek only for facilities along the Lake Erie shoreline.
County officials are urging residents living along the low-lying Lake Erie shoreline in the city of Dunkirk and the towns of Dunkirk, Pomfret, Portland, Ripley and Westfield to evacuate.
“We are seeing strong winds and rapidly rising water levels in this winter storm,” Wendell said. “This will cause massive lakeshore flooding, the potential for seiches (waves) that can be as high as 24 feet, especially in flood-prone communities and with property directly on the shoreline of Lake Erie. It can be detrimental to existing homeowners.”
For those affected by the forced evacuation, Silver Creek High School at 1 Dickinson Street will open at 11 a.m. Friday as a shelter for those in need.
