Several Boaters Stuck as Portions of Erie Canal Close Because of High Water and Hazardous Conditions

Summer vacation travel always comes with detours and traffic restrictions. Usually you just take a different route, but when traveling the Erie Canal and it shuts down, you're stuck.

Nearly everywhere you look around Central New York rivers, streams, creeks and even the backyard ditch are over flowing with water and the rain just keeps going  The Canal Corporation announced three sections of the system are closed due to the recent heavy rainfall, high flows, and extremely hazardous conditions. The following locks are closed:

• Lock E-2 (Waterford) through E-19 (Frankfort)
• Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville) through E-33 (Henrietta)
• East and West Guard Locks (Rochester)

Erie isn't New York's only canal battling high water, heavy flow, and hazardous conditions. The Oswego Canal has closed Lock O-1 (Phoenix) through Lock O-8 (Oswego). And the Cayuga-Seneca Canal shutdown Lock CS-1 (Cayuga).

For the latest information on the status of all canals in New York, sign up for the Canal Corporations' alerts and notifications or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Ferocious Flash Flooding in Central New York Washes Out Roads and Homes

Enough with the rain already! The constant downfall has created flooding several times in the past few weeks. The latest rain turned into ferocious flash floods in yards and homes in Central New York.

Liz Platt has lived in her home in Ava, New York since 1996. The recent rain turned her home into an island, with flash flooding in front and behind her house. "Never have we ever had anything like this," she said.

Luckily the barn animals were saved and no one was hurt. "We're just thankful everyone is ok," said Platt, who isn't alone.

Several homeowners dealt with flash flooding in Central New York.

It's not just Chittenango Falls. All the waterfalls in the area are raging. Look at Buttermilk Falls washing over what was once a perfect place to swim.

Fonda Flooding

Flooding is so bad in Fonda, New York, Mayor Bill Peeler declared a state of emergency in the village at 6 PM on Monday, July 19. Crews have been working overtime to clean up from the massive flood.

Nearly every business was damaged by flooding in Morris, New York. Water reached as high as a foot at a certain point and rainfall accumulated to three and a half inches in less than an hour. The damage was so extensive officials are hoping Governor Andrew Cuomo will declare a state of emergency.

Areas in Whitesboro and Clinton just dealt with high water that even forced an evacuation of anyone living along the Sauquoit River in Whitesboro.