A woman was uninjured after a kayaking mishap this afternoon in Caneadea. During the noon hour, Allegany County 911 received a report of a kayaker in distress on the Genesee River near the Shongo Valley bridge on Council House Road in Caneadea. Nearly four inches of rain (more in spots) during the past few days caused a sharp rise in the Genesee River. Heavy rain also created swift water currents on the Genesee. According to multiple reports, a woman became separated from her kayak. The woman, who was wearing a life vest, was able to position herself near the bridge as the craft floated away. Radio reports said the woman was unable to return to the river bank because of the fast moving water. State police were alerted and Allegany County Emergency Manager Jeff Luckey responded with a swift water rescue trailer. Houghton fire and EMS were also called to the scene. Previous training paid off for first responders who successfully brought the woman to dry land. The rescue was completed at 1:52 p.m.
On Tuesday Riverside Park Campground in Scio, adjacent to the Genesee River, refused to rent out a kayak citing the very high river conditions. The Genesee River at Wellsville crested at 9.18 feet shortly after midnight Tuesday (action stage is nine feet). By Thursday evening, the river level had fallen to 6.74 feet.
