Property and lives lost in Gowanda

GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - News 4 has learned that two deaths are now attributed to the storm, including a man who was swept to his death in the flood waters as he was checking his Gowanda property during the storm.

The rising waters trapped rescuers at a fire hall command post, and prompted evacuation of the local hospital in Gowanda.

Property and lives were lost in Gowanda, as rain and high winds pounded the village. Flood waters took over the streets of Gowanda, and were so intense that paramedics could not get to Floyd Farley, a man in his 80s who apparently died of a heart attack in his home. Another man, 80-year-old Theodore Stitzel, was swept away just outside of his home.

Captain Robert Buchhardt of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office said, "He went out to check a bridge that was behind his property. He waded out into the flood waters and was swept away into the bridge."

The water came cascading down into the reservoir, the water supply for the Village of Gowanda. It was so high, it flooded over the roof of the pump house.

Gowanda Disaster Coordinator Nick Crassi said, "It's going to be a couple of days of boiling water. We're asking residents to be patient."

The flood waters caught people by surprise. Some people were knocked over as they tried to make their back home.

Gowanda resident David Tonello said, "...and just chucks of the road, just concrete going past us, debris, tires, mean it was a nightmare."

Water flooded into the Tri-County Hospital and the neighboring health center. Staff and patients had to be evacuated.

Health center nurse Sandie Johnson said, "There's water and there's absolutely no power. The generators are shot."

Gowanda is covered in mud. Thirty percent of the homes are damaged in a village of 3100 people.

Gowanda resident Bill Horschman said, "We had rain come up to about a foot and a half along the side of the house. It blew out the windows along the east side of the house."

There's a lot of work to be done in the neighborhoods. Jim Fix is moving a "dead sea of mud," helping his neighbors clean up.

A traffic ban is being enforced there. Crews are working to clear roads and culverts, and are hoping Gowanda is not pounded again Monday night.