Storms plow through Allegany County-highway building damaged, kids rescued near water

NYSP photo

Violent storms marched across northern Allegany County Thursday. The Birdsall fire chief told 911 a tornado hit, but the National Weather Service disagreed. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Mike Fries told us "it was unlikely." He said the damage to the town highway building was likely from straight line winds.

Birdsall Highway building-  NYSP photo

Right now the weather service didn't plan to send a team to Allegany County. Fries said he had been in contact with Allegany County Emergency Services Manager Jeff Luckey. He did confirm heavy rain dumped on the county north of I-86. Those heavy rains posed a danger to three young children in Centerville. 911 dispatch sent troopers and first responders to County Road 3 for children, ages 2,4 and 6, who were near dangerous flood waters. Those kids were eventually brought to safety.