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| Photos From New York State Police |
State Emergency Operations Center remains open for those affected by storm
Western New York - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today deployed the National Guard to help those affected by the ongoing snowstorm and provide resources to help with the emergency situation in Western New York. This is in addition to the current assistance on roadways from the Thruway Authority, Department of Transportation, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and Department of Environmental Conservation, which includes plows, snowmobiles, personnel, and other storm supplies. With snow not expected to ease until at least Thursday evening, the New York State Emergency Operations Center remains open to assist anyone in need of help due to the storm.
“We are deploying the National Guard to ramp up efforts to keep Western New York residents safe and to assist storm recovery efforts in any way possible," Governor Cuomo said. "Travel bans and advisories remain in effect, and I urge drivers to stay off the roads so that our state agencies and the National Guard can assist those that need help."
Deployment of National Guard
The New York National Guard will mobilize 150 soldiers and airmen, 7 Bobcats, 10 dump trucks, and 5 Humvees. Soldiers will come from the 152nd Engineer company in Buffalo and the 827th Engineer Company in Horseheads. Airmen from the 107th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station will also respond.
Travel Bans
Travel bans are in effect in Lancaster, West Seneca, South Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Hamburg. During a
travel ban, driving for any reason is prohibited. Travel advisories, which restrict drivers from any unnecessary trips, are ongoing in all of Erie and Genesee Counties.
Road ClosuresDue to the current condition of roads, road closures will be in effect until further notice:
NYS Thruway (I-90) from Exit 46 in Rochester to Exit 61 in Ripley;
I-290 from Exit 6 (Sheridan Drive) to the Thruway (I-90);
I-190 Niagara Thruway from exit 1 (South Ogden Street, near Thruway mainline exit 53) to exit 16 (I-290, neat South Grand Island Bridge);
Route 5 (the Skyway) between I-190 Niagara Thruway and Tifft Street in the city of Buffalo;
Route 219 between the Thruway and Route 39 in the town of Concord;
Route 400 between the Thruway in West Seneca and Route 16 in the town of Aurora.
Public Transportation Delays and Cancellations
Additionally, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has suspended Southtowns bus service due to continuing snow and impassable roads. Buses are still operating in the City of Buffalo and in the north towns. The following Metro routes are not running at this time: 1,2,14,15,16,36,42,36,42,69,70,72,74,75, and 76. All other routes are operating, but may be running late.
State Emergency Operations Center Open
Governor Cuomo activated the New York State Emergency Operations Center in Albany on November 17 at 8:00 PM, which will stay open through Wednesday evening. Personnel from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (with staff from the Office of Emergency Management as well as the Office of Fire Prevention and Control), Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Thruway, State Police, Public Service Commission and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs are on hand to provide assistance.
The storm is being monitored and the Office of Emergency Management is in close contact with the National Weather Service, with stockpiles ready to deploy to counties that request including assets such as generators and storm supplies. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has regional directors and staff from the Office of Emergency Management in the county Emergency Operations Centers.
State Plows and Small Removal Equipment Deployed to Region
The New York State Department of Transportation moved 8 plows and 36 operators and supervisors from around the state to Western New York to assist with snow removal operations. Plows are currently working to clear paths for tow trucks to assist motorists stuck in the snow. They will have a total of 410 snowplows and 1,018 operators and supervisors working on this storm. The Department is fully stocked with road salt and has also activated local contractors to assist in clearing snow from roadways.
The New York State Thruway Authority has a total of 200 plow operators and supervisors working on the storm, with 97 plow trucks, 18 front end loaders, one large truck-mounted snow blower and 37,000 tons of salt. The Thruway Authority has moved additional resources to Western New York including nine heavy duty plow trucks, two front end loaders, two large snow blowers and nine plow operators.
Use Caution If Travel Is Necessary
It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit in order to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.
Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited sight distances, and the size and weight of snowplows make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted.
Some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include:
Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered;
Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles;
Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations;
Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces;
Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing;
Have a cell phone handy, if possible, but do not text while driving; distracted driving is illegal and becomes even more dangerous during storm events;
Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound;
Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes;
Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival; and
Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound.
Motorists should also include the following emergency items in their vehicles:
Flashlight with extra batteries
Charged cell phone and automobile charger
Basic first-aid kit
Blankets or sleeping bags
Extra clothes, including rain gear, boots, mittens, and socks
Windshield scraper and brush
Fire extinguisher
Shovel
Sand, road salt and/or cat litter for traction
Tire chains or traction mats
Basic tool kit, including pliers, wrench, and screwdriver
Tow rope
Battery jumper cables
Road flares/reflectors
Brightly colored cloth (to use as a flag)
Road maps
The New York State Department of Transportation provides a travel advisory system that features real-time travel reports and can be accessed by dialing 511, online at www.511ny.org, or via a downloadable smart phone app. The web site features a color-coded map indicating which state roads are snow covered, ice covered, wet, dry, or closed to help travelers determine if travel is advisable. The system provides real-time snow and ice conditions for interstates and other heavily traveled roads, as reported by snowplow operators.
Motorists can sign up for TRANSAlert emails regarding Thruway traffic conditions at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/index.shtml. Thruway travelers are encouraged to visit www.Thruway.ny.gov for real-time traffic updates. To see an interactive map including Google traffic conditions for the Thruway and other roadways in New York State and beyond, visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=traffic.
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services also recommends that residents should prepare their homes and families for winter weather. This includes stocking up on supplies in the event a winter storm or power outage prevents you from leaving your home. Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs to see if they are in need of assistance. Additional safety tips can be found on the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website at: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/safety-info/publicsafety/winter.cfm.
Here is the following weather warnings for western New York
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Lake Effect Snow Warnings in dark blue
CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...JAMESTOWN...OLEAN
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST
WEDNESDAY...
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO NOON
EST FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A LAKE EFFECT
SNOW WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO NOON EST
FRIDAY.
* LOCATIONS...CHAUTAUQUA AND CATTARAUGUS COUNTIES...GREATEST
AMOUNTS ALONG THE LAKE ERIE SHORE AND NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE
AREA.
* TIMING...FIRST WARNING CONTINUES THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
SECOND WARNING WILL RUN FROM EARLY THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
MIDDAY FRIDAY.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 4 INCHES PER HOUR IN THE
MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. STORM TOTALS OF 2 TO 3 FEET IN
THE MOST PERSISTENT SNOWS FROM THE FIRST STORM THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING.
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 FEET IN THE SECOND STORM
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT IN PERSISTENT BANDS.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH PRODUCING
LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES WITH SIGNIFICANT BLOWING
AND DRIFTING SNOW.
* VISIBILITIES...NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS...INTENSE LAKE EFFECT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL
RESULT IN VERY DIFFICULT OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL AT TIMES
WITHIN THE MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. SOME ROADS MAY
BECOME NEARLY IMPASSABLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL BE PREPARED FOR
SEVERE WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AND
DEEP SNOW COVER ON ROADS. THIS INCLUDES THE NEW YORK STATE
THRUWAY FROM RIPLEY TO SILVER CREEK.
NORTHERN ERIE-GENESEE-WYOMING-SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO...BATAVIA...WARSAW...
ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
WEDNESDAY...
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM WEDNESDAY TO
1 AM EST FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A LAKE EFFECT
SNOW WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM WEDNESDAY TO 1 AM
EST FRIDAY.
* LOCATIONS...ERIE...GENESEE...AND WYOMING COUNTIES INCLUDING THE
BUFFALO METRO AREA. NORTHERN EXTENT OF THE SNOW BAND ALONG A
LINE FROM SOUTH BUFFALO TO DEPEW AND BATAVIA THROUGH THIS
EVENING.
* TIMING...FIRST WARNING CONTINUES THROUGH MIDDAY WEDNESDAY. THE
SECOND WARNING RUNS FROM LATE WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY
NIGHT.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 4 INCHES PER HOUR IN THE
MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. STORM TOTALS WILL REACH 3 TO
4 FEET IN MANY AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM SOUTH
BUFFALO TO BATAVIA. LOCAL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 6 FEET FROM LACKAWANNA
TO LANCASTER AND ELMA FROM THE FIRST STORM ENDING ON WEDNESDAY.
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 FEET IN THE SECOND STORM
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT IN PERSISTENT BANDS.
THE HEAVIEST AMOUNTS MAY AGAIN FOCUS ON THE BUFFALO SOUTHTOWNS.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH PRODUCING
LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES WITH SIGNIFICANT BLOWING
AND DRIFTING SNOW.
* VISIBILITIES...NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS...INTENSE LAKE EFFECT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL RESULT
IN VERY DIFFICULT OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL AT TIMES WITHIN
THE MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. EXPECT WIDESPREAD ROAD
CLOSURES. TRAVEL WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITHIN THE MOST INTENSE
PORTION OF THE BAND. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE
WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AND DEEP
SNOW COVER ON ROADS. THIS INCLUDES THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY
FROM SILVER CREEK TO BATAVIA.
JEFFERSON-LEWIS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WATERTOWN...LOWVILLE
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST
WEDNESDAY...
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO NOON
EST FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A LAKE EFFECT
SNOW WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO NOON EST
FRIDAY.
* LOCATIONS...JEFFERSON AND LEWIS COUNTIES. GREATEST AMOUNTS FROM
THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN TUG HILL TO THE WATERTOWN AND FORT DRUM
AREAS.
* TIMING...FIRST WARNING CONTINUES THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
SECOND WARNING WILL RUN FROM EARLY THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
MIDDAY FRIDAY.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOWFALL RATES OF 3 TO 5 INCHES PER HOUR IN THE
MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. STORM TOTALS OF 3 TO 4 FEET IN
THE MOST PERSISTENT SNOWS FROM THE FIRST STORM THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 FEET IN THE SECOND STORM
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT IN PERSISTENT BANDS.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH PRODUCING
LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES WITH SIGNIFICANT BLOWING
AND DRIFTING SNOW..
* VISIBILITIES...NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS...INTENSE LAKE EFFECT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL
RESULT IN VERY DIFFICULT OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL AT TIMES
WITHIN THE MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. MANY ROADS MAY
BECOME NEARLY IMPASSABLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL BE PREPARED FOR
SEVERE WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AND
DEEP SNOW COVER ON ROADS. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 81 FROM
PULASKI TO WATERTOWN.
OSWEGO-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...OSWEGO
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST
WEDNESDAY...
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THURSDAY TO 6 PM
EST FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A LAKE EFFECT
SNOW WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THURSDAY TO 6 PM EST
FRIDAY.
* LOCATIONS...OSWEGO COUNTY. GREATEST AMOUNTS FROM THE FIRST STORM
ONLY OVER THE EXTREME NORTHERN END OF THE COUNTY. THE SECOND
STORM WILL MOVE SOUTH ACROSS MOST OF THE COUNTY AND AFFECT A
BIGGER AREA.
* TIMING...FIRST WARNING CONTINUES THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THE SECOND
WARNING WILL RUN FROM LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY
EVENING.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 4 INCHES PER HOUR IN THE
MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. STORM TOTALS OF 1 TO 2 FEET
FROM THE FIRST STORM THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 FEET IN THE SECOND STORM
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT IN PERSISTENT BANDS.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH PRODUCING
LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES WITH SIGNIFICANT BLOWING
AND DRIFTING SNOW.
* VISIBILITIES...NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS...INTENSE LAKE EFFECT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL RESULT
IN VERY DIFFICULT OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL AT TIMES WITHIN
THE MOST INTENSE PORTION OF THE BAND. MANY ROADS MAY BECOME
NEARLY IMPASSABLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE
WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AND DEEP
SNOW COVER ON ROADS. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 81 FROM PULASKI TO
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY LINE.
NORTHERN HERKIMER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ATWELL...BIG MOOSE...EAGLE BAY...
MCKEEVER...NOBLEBORO...NORTHWOOD...OLD FORGE
402 PM EST TUE NOV 18 2014
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST
WEDNESDAY...
* LOCATIONS...NORTHERN HERKIMER COUNTY.
* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...6 TO 12 INCHES WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS UP TO
ONE FOOT NORTH OF ROUTE 28.
* MAXIMUM SNOWFALL RATES...1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR AT TIMES.
* TIMING...A BAND OF HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT
SOUTHWARD INTO EXTREME NORTHERN HERKIMER BY EARLY TO MID
EVENING. THE SNOW BAND WILL THEN CONTINUE TO DRIFT SOUTHWARD AND
APPROACH THE OLD FORGE AREA ALONG ROUTE 28 BY AROUND MIDNIGHT.
LAKE EFFECT SNOW COULD PERSIST THROUGH MUCH OF THE
OVERNIGHT...LASTING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE SHIFTING NORTH
OF THE AREA ONCE AGAIN BY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
* IMPACTS...SNOW COVERED ROADS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY WITHIN ANY
LAKE EFFECT SNOW BANDS.
* WINDS...WEST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.
* TEMPERATURES...IN THE TEENS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF LAKE-
EFFECT SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE. LAKE-EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS TYPICALLY ALIGN THEMSELVES
IN BANDS AND WILL LIKELY BE INTENSE ENOUGH TO DROP 1 TO SEVERAL
INCHES OF SNOW PER HOUR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. VISIBILITIES VARY
GREATLY AND CAN DROP TO ZERO WITHIN MINUTES. TRAVEL IS STRONGLY
DISCOURAGED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
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