BUFFALO, N.Y. — People in storm-socked areas around Buffalo began returning to work on Monday as fast-melting mounds of snow fed into creeks that were starting to swell.

It was not clear how widespread flooding would be almost a week after western New York was pummeled by epic snowfall. Thermometer readings were approaching 60 degrees by midmorning, and some residents of the Buffalo area were out and about in T-shirts riding bicycles while others focused on the tasks at hand.

David Fruehauf, 71, was out early clearing leaves from a storm drain in front of his house in suburban Orchard Park.

“These are the enemies of a sewer,” Fruehauf said, staring down at leaves surrounding the drain. There’s still a long ways to go. The stuff is shrinking, but it’s got to have a place to go.”

Families rushed to pack up their valuables and schools closed in advance — not of snow but possible flooding.

Temperatures were expected to hit nearly 60 degrees, causing Buffalo area residents to prepare for evacuations caused by runoff from melting snow, and overflowing creeks.

“Hopefully, the rain won’t be here until later and this will be a slow thaw, but flooding is our major, major concern here,” said Michelle Pikula, whose house is along the Buffalo Creek.