Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a State of Emergency for parts of Western New York being directly impacted by the first significant round of lake effect snow this season.
In an exclusive interview with WBEN on Friday, Gov. Hochul said Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Genesee and Wyoming counties are all under a State of Emergency in order for immediate action to be available in those regions, in case any immediate services are needed.
Hochul is urging those in Western New York, as well as those in the North Country to prepare a significant lake effect snow continues to fall in communities East of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with the potential for multiple feet of snow in some areas.
Lake Effect Snow Warnings for a long duration event are now in effect through Monday for portions of Western New York, with the heaviest snowfall being forecasted to occur Friday evening through Saturday morning, particularly in the higher elevations. An additional period of heavy snow is also possible on Sunday.
"As lake effect snow moves into parts of Western New York, Central New York and the North Country, we are monitoring the situation closely and mobilizing resources to respond," said Gov. Hochul. "Alongside our partners in local government, we are taking every step necessary to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe."
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Affected regions should expect snowfall rates of 2-to-4 inches per-hour. Peak snowfall amounts of 3-to-4 feet are expected along Lake Erie, especially in Western Chautauqua and Southern Erie counties. Snow is forecast to fall steadily all weekend, including before, during and after the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Hazardous-to-impossible travel conditions are expected on Friday through Monday due to snow-covered roads and reduced visibilities. Wind gusts will likely cause blowing and drifting snow, and isolated power outages.
Snow will accumulate rapidly in persistent snow bands, and visibility will be drastically reduced with near whiteout conditions.
Beginning at 3 p.m. EST on Friday, an empty and tandem commercial vehicle ban went into effect on the New York State Thruway between the I-190 and the Pennsylvania State Border. The same vehicle ban will be in effect on I-86 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-390, as well as Route 219 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-90.
As of 7:45 p.m. EST on Friday, The Thruway Authority announced the closure of the I-90 to all commercial vehicle traffic between Exit 46 in Rochester and the Pennsylvania state line until further notice.
Also on the Thruway, the I-90 Westbound between Hamburg (Exit 57) and the Pennsylvania state line was closed Friday afternoon after the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation closed down the I-90 and I-86 to all traffic between the New York border and I-79.
The State Department of Transportation's forces are fully engaged and responding across the state with 3,527 supervisors and operators available statewide. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
- 1,635 large plow trucks
- 339 large loaders
- 150 medium duty plows
- 51 tow plows
- 35 snow blowers
- 18 graders
Regions experiencing lake effect snows will also perform rolling assists to enhance coverage in the heavy snowfall areas. These rolling assists will shift as the bands oscillate.
Tow services will be on station along Route 219 in Erie County.
The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event.
Meanwhile, the State Thruway Authority is monitoring the forecast and ready to respond with 691 operators and supervisors available. Statewide equipment numbers and resources include:
- 368 large and medium duty plow trucks
- 10 tow plows
- 63 loaders
- 126,000+ tons of salt on hand
In addition, New York State Police has instructed all Troopers to remain vigilant, and will deploy extra patrols to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are in service and all specialty vehicles, including Utility Terrain Vehicles and snowmobiles, are staged and ready for deployment.
Also, more than 100 National Guard members have already been staged in Western New York.
For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit 511ny.org, New York State's official traffic and travel information source.