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Emergency coordinator explains need for state of emergency declaration in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

In order to enact a travel ban today, Bob Bausch, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature, signed a letter at 2 p.m. today declaring a state of emergency and that state of emergency is expected to be in place through tomorrow.

The travel ban could be lifted this evening, though, said Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator. 

"It was busy," Yaeger said. "It came in fairly quickly around noonish and started hitting very quickly. It has started to subside a little bit. Now, it's quieted down quite a bit. We're expecting the lake effect to move south but then reenter back into Genesee County tomorrow during the day."

Besides enabling the sheriff to declare a state of emergency, it gives county officials additional power, though Yaeger said there's no plans to, say, impose a curfew or ban alcohol sales. The county has also not used the state of emergency to ask for assistance from other counties or the state.

"We're continuing to monitor it at the point that we checked with our highway department superintendent and he's checking with the municipalities," Yaeger said. "But because the amount of snow at this point is manageable, we're going to continue to manage that. But that option is always open but at this point (no assistance) is needed."

Even as the snowfall slows down, the county remains on a ready footing. Each county fire department has personnel at their fire halls, City fire has extra personnel on duty, and the local law enforcement agencies have extra officers on patrol.

The Emergency Management Center is operating as a command center but Yaeger said it is at a "level 3" standard of operation.

"We are open and active and we're monitoring the weather and monitoring phone calls that are coming in the different situations so we have good situational awareness of what's going on in the county, so we can react to any of needs that may come up," Yaeger said.

The travel ban serves two primary purposes, Yaeger explained. It helps keep the public safe but it also helps keep first responders safe.

"The weather is our concern with the public out there," Yaeger said, "then the first responders trying to do their their work, to respond to emergencies, first to gain access there and then to be in these elements is extremely dangerous."

In this weather, it's especially important for first responders to get to stranded motorists quickly and safely.

"Because of the extreme cold you cannot be in those elements, or be in a vehicle and not be able to move and not have heat in your car," Yaeger said. "It is not safe at any point."

Photos: Reader photos from the storm

By Howard B. Owens

A reader from Byron shared this photo and the photo immediately below.

If you have a photo to share, send it to howard@thebatavian.com. You can also try to send video or upload your video to YouTube and we can share it.

Andrea Brown said she took this photo about 12:30 p.m. on Route 77. "I was stuck along with other drivers for almost three hours until we all braved it to get home. I live in Attica so after I got past this, I sat in a gas station driveway along with a few others for another hour then finally made it home, getting here at about 4 p.m."

Photos: Batavia at start of today's storm

By Howard B. Owens

Photos in Batavia from about the one o'clock hour.

Top photo, Batavia Downs.

Main and Ellicott

Jackson Street

Parking lot at the courthouse.

Ellicott Avenue

Tonawanda Creek off of West Main Street.

Centennial Park.

Centennial Park.

Genesee Community College

State and North

State Vets Home

Weather-related calls (UPDATED with Travel Ban for Genesee County)

By Howard B. Owens

 

All county fire crews requested to assemble in their fire halls and notify dispatched when assembled.

There is an accident with injuries at East Road and Route 20. Bethany Fire on scene.

Le Roy Fire and Town of Batavia Fire working a multi-vehicle accident on the Thruway (Updates will continue on the original post). 

Darien Fire and the Sheriff's Office is continuing to work an accident on Route 20 that is tying up traffic.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the Thruway at Batavia. Expect an influx of traffic into Batavia.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: The Sheriff is issuing a travel ban. A news release coming shortly.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Photos of dispatch center added.

UPDATE 2:46 p.m.: A tractor-trailer accident is reported at 6319 Main Road, Stafford. Powerlines are down. The road is blocked. An ambulance is requested to the scene. Stafford Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: There are multiple reports of vehicles off the road at various locations. A trooper just informed dispatch he's going to a location on East Saile to check on an elderly couple.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Travel ban release:

Effective immediately, a travel ban for Genesee County has been issued and will stay in effect until further notice.  Blowing and drifting snow have created poor visibility and unsafe/hazardous traveling conditions for motorists. 

A travel ban means no travel for anyone except emergency vehicles which includes police, ambulance, snow plows, etc.

Sheriff William Sheron stated, “For your safety, and the safety of the residents of Genesee County, please stay home or where you are until conditions improve.”

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: For the latest closures, click here. Email closure announcements to howard@thebatavian.com.

UPDATE 3:13 p.m.: All Genesee County fire halls now fully staffed.

UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: From the National Weather Service:

At 3:56 p.m. EST, two bands of lake effect snow are producing snowfall rates
of up to 2 inches per hour along with visibilities near zero. 
Temperatures are below zero with wind chills near -25 degrees below zero.

...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION... 

Blinding snow and whiteout conditions are occurring. A casual drive or
trip outside can quickly lead to a life-threatening situation without
proper winter gear. Please heed all travel bans. 

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: Weather photos post. Click here. (Also, if you have photos or video to share, email howard@thebatavian.com)

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: Motor-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, Route 77 near McAlpine. Alabama fire dispatched and Mercy EMS. Also, Stafford just cleared its accident.

UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: An Indian Falls chief is on scene of the McAlpine accident. No injuries. Whiteout conditions.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: A blizzard warning is in effect until 1 a.m.:

Dangerously cold wind chills and blizzard conditions. Heavy lake effect snow expected. Wind chills as low as 25 below zero. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Winds gusting as high as 35 m.p.h.
 

UPDATE 7:57 p.m.: A state of emergency was declared for Genesee County at 2 p.m. Read about it in this story. Also, the Thruway has removed in both directions. A travel ban remains in effect but could be lifted this evening.

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.: Click here to view a video from the storm taken this afternoon.

UPDATE 8:09 p.m.: A rollover accident is reported at 5969 Ellicott Street Road, near Paul Road. Bethany Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Minor if any injuries.

 

Remembering Batavia's unforgettable blizzard of 1966

By David Reilly

When you live in Western New York, one thing you can expect is people complaining about the winter weather.

It should be noted though that people today have less to grouse about than 50 years ago.

The average temperature has increased 2.5 degrees per year and while more precipitation falls in the winter, less of it is snow.

That hasn't stopped people from moving to or spending their winters in Florida. I guess hurricanes, alligators, snakes and bugs are preferable to gloves, ice scrapers and salt trucks. Do people wear Uggs in Florida? Just wondering.

When you have resided in the North your whole life there are bound to be memorable winter storms that will stir up comparisons among those who endured them. Batavians of a certain age debate the snowfalls of 1966 vs.1977.

Because of circumstances I experienced, the most unforgettable to me was the Blizzard of 1966.

On Jan. 30th and 31st, 1966 the entire Northeast was wracked by a blizzard that blew in from the west. Western New York was especially hard hit due to the cyclonic effect in which winds wrapped around and blew off Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, adding much more snowfall. 

Winds of up to 50 miles per hour whipped snow that was falling, or more accurately blowing sideways, at a rate of one to two inches per hour. The Batavia area was still digging out from a heavy snowfall the week before, which had dropped two feet of the white stuff.

Snowdrifts up to 15-feet high, chain-reaction Thruway crashes, lots of stranded motorists

When the winds finally abated on Feb. 1st and 2nd, Western New York had been shut down to travel and motorists were stranded for up to a week. Drifts were 10 to 15 feet high in some places and heavy machinery was needed to open streets and highways.

During the blizzard a chain reaction accident of up to 100 vehicles had taken place on the Thruway just east of Batavia. Drivers had to be rescued and some taken to local hospitals. Cars blocking the Thruway were supposedly plowed off to the median (although the state disputed this) and remained there until they could be towed away.

When the storm began, I had just turned 19 the week before and was home on a break from my sophomore year at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. It was a tense time for me because there was a chance that I might flunk out. From my freshman year I was on double secret probation or whatever they called it.

There were no emails back then and the only way to find out your grades for the first semester was to go to the administration building and get a copy. They would not give them out by phone either. Of course, I had not revealed this fear to my parents who were footing the bill.

Before I returned to college, my mom had invited my aunts and grandmother to our house for a belated birthday celebration for me.

My two unmarried aunts lived together in the longtime family home on Cedar Street and neither of them drove, so they always had to be picked up and taken back. My maternal grandma lived on North Lyon Street and had one of those cars with the ball on the radio aerial so you could find it in a parking lot. Also on hand were my 16-year-old brother Dan, and my youngest brother, 8-year-old Jim, in addition to mom and dad.

Winter storm turns into paralyzing blizzard

As the day turned to evening, the snow and wind increased by the hour. Dan and I started to get nervous when we noticed our parents peering out at the storm and talking in hushed tones with each other. Snippets of the discussion were overheard. 

“...Your mother will never make it in this”... “What do we do about Kate and Peg ?”... Uh oh.

Dan and I had a whispered conversation of our own that went something like -- “Holy cow! It's really coming down. We could be stuck in here with all these people for a week!”

I know. An opportunity for some real family bonding time, right? No. Hey, we were immature selfish teenagers.

To us, this would be just as bad as those stranded motorists being stuck in the bus garage. We'd have to give up our beds and bedrooms and sleep on the family room floor. They'd be watching game shows and Lawrence Welk on the TV. We'd be cooped up with my aunts, who gave off a faint aroma of mothballs.

We needed to get out of there! But how? And where?

We put our heads together and came up with what we thought was a brilliant plan for escape. Two 50-something women couldn't get the mile or so from our house on North Spruce Street to their home on Cedar Street, but we could. There was food, heat and a TV there. What else did we need?

I don't recall if our parents put up any resistance, but they were preoccupied with figuring out how to provide for everyone anyway. A couple less humans in the house was probably a good thing.

'Arctic explorers' make the 'tough slog' to Cedar Street

So we bundled up looking like Arctic explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson headed to the North Pole and ventured out into the maelstrom.

I do recall that it was a tough slog even for healthy teenagers. The snow felt like little needles on your face and no plows had been out at all so we were essentially breaking trail down the middle of the road.

We cut through from East Avenue to the plaza on East Main Street where Your Host restaurant and Lane Drugs were (both closed). There was also a 24-hour laundromat (where my friends and I bought cigarettes for 30 cents a pack out of a machine in high school) that was open so we stopped in there to warm up halfway on our hike.

We were amazed to see that the entire parking lot was full of tractor-trailers waiting out the storm. It was eerie to view the snow blowing across the plaza lights, hear the sound of all the semi engines running, but seeing absolutely no moving traffic on Route 5 or 33.

Eventually, we made it to our aunts' house, called our parents so they knew we were safe, shed our boots, long johns, hats, scarves, coats and gloves, and hunkered down for the duration of the storm.

Aunts Kate and Peg were two of the worst cooks imaginable (they prepared ham by boiling it in water), so we took stock of what was in the fridge and cupboards to find out if we could survive. Mostly, I think we were looking for cookies, cakes, chips and stuff for sandwiches. You know, teenager food.

TV news confirms blizzard 'was a pretty big deal'

We settled in to watch some TV and soon the 11 o'clock news came on. The entire broadcast was about the blizzard and we realized that this was a pretty big deal.

As it got to midnight, we expected the TV station to sign off, play the national anthem, and put up the overnight test pattern as was the procedure in those days. But, to our happy surprise, the announcer said that due to the storm they were going to stay on later than usual and show movies for all those out in TV land who were stuck in the snow. Sweet!

I don't recall what movies were shown, but for sure they were in black and white and even more surely they were no Oscar winners. Maybe "The Blob" with a young Michael Landon or "Bernadette of Lourdes" for all the Catholics who were tuned in.

About 2 a.m. the movies ended and the station signed off. I said to Dan, “Well, let's head upstairs and get some sleep.”

He replied incredulously, “Are you crazy? I'm not sleeping in those beds!”

“Why not ?”, I asked.

“There's probably leg hairs stuck to the sheets,” he replied drolly. “Think about it.”

Fifty years later I still chuckle at that comment.

So, we found some hair-free blankets (we hoped) and bedded down on the couches for the night with the sound of the wind rattling the windows.

(Snowfall from the blizzard of '66 on Cedar Street in Batavia, courtesy of the Batavia History Department.)

When I awoke, I was confused briefly as to where I was. It was daylight and I realized that I didn't hear the wind anymore. I went to a window facing Cedar Street and looked out.

Behold a 'marshmallow landscape' 

My eyes must have blinked several times as I tried to focus on familiar landmarks. But there were none. Everything was white as if Mother Nature had poured bleach over the world.

I was completely disoriented as there was no depth perception at all. The sky: white. The ground: white. Everything: white.

It was then, as I tried to get my bearings, that I noticed some movement off to the south, or left. A small stick-like figure was advancing through the marshmallow landscape. I could discern that it was a person coming up the middle of the street, or at least where there should be a street.

As it got closer, I could tell that it was someone on snowshoes. Dan was now awake and at the other front window. The human snowman was approaching the front of the house and he or she began climbing up and up some more. It was then that we realized that the snowshoer was ascending a drift in front of the house that was at least 10 feet high!

My brother and I simultaneously went “Wow!”

As the Yeti-like creature came down the other side of the drift headed for East Main Street we knew at that moment that: 1. We were going to be there for a while; and 2. This was a storm we would never forget.

Shoveling out, returning to normal

I can't recall how many days we stayed at our teenage refuge, but it was a least a few. Dan and I kept busy during the day by shoveling a path from the house to the street. Our parents called often to check up on us and to ascertain if the street was clear for my aunts to return home.

Cedar Street is a connecting road between routes 5 and 63 so it needed to be travelable sooner rather than later. At some point, huge machines showed up and within a few hours the street was open. We marveled to watch the front-end mounted snow throwers, gigantic loaders and “V” plows do their jobs.

When my aunts returned home my dad had to let them out of the car in the street and Dan and I helped them navigate the thin opening through the giant drifts and plowed snow to get to their porch. They were very appreciative of us caring for their house and we were glad we'd made them happy. It wasn't the last time we had to assist them to the house either, because their driveway was unusable until the spring when the snow finally melted away.

When I did return to St. John Fisher, sweating nervously all the way in the car with my dad, I got the good news that I had indeed passed and would be able to stay. Years later, when I told my parents about my narrow escape from having to leave college, it added that much more to my recounting of my adventure in the Blizzard of '66.

(Top inset photo of Batavia Downs following the blizzard of 1966 taken by Gleason Cleveland, courtesy of Joshua Pacino.)

Photos courtesy of Dave Reilly.

Blizzard warning in effect for Genesee County until 1 a.m.

By Billie Owens

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Genesee County that will remain in effect through 1 a.m. Thursday.

A wind chill warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday, and a winter storm warning is in effect from 1 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday. Expect blizzard conditions and dangerously cold wind chills.

Heavy lake effect snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Wind chills as low as 25 below zero.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes; but frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 25 below zero or colder.

Strong winds will cause significant blowing and drifting snow, frequently reducing visibilities to zero. Travel is strongly discouraged.

This is a potentially dangerous situation to be outdoors. If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin.

UPDATED: Winter storm has stayed west of Genesee County but that is starting to change, travel advisory still in effect

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATED at 2:26 p.m. -- in bold

So far much of Genesee County has avoided the winter storm pushing through Western New York but snowfall and wind started to intensify in the western part of the county within the past 10 minutes.

County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens said it was pretty quiet in the county overnight even though Akron in Erie County got 12 to 15 inches of snow.

"I think the amount of ice on Lake Erie is limiting the reach of the snow," Hens said.

Sheriff William Sheron said a travel ban is now in effect and he is monitoring the forecasts.

The travel ban states that emergency personnel are responding to numerous personal injury accidents and vehicles off the road, so in the interest of public safety, there is to be NO UNNECESSARY TRAVEL.

The wind pattern may have shifted a bit from what forecasters expected as well.

"That's all it takes around here is a little twist in the wind and it goes somewhere else," Hens said.

With the snow band shifting south and Darien, Pembroke, and Alabama seeing increased snowfall now, the southern half of the county could see more snow today. Batavia, Hens said, is still forecasted to receive 6 to 8 inches of snow.

Hens said you can pretty much divide the county into four quadrants when it comes to snowfall. If the storm is blowing in off of Lake Erie, everything west of Route 98 and south of the Thruway gets hit. If the storm comes in from Lake Ontario, there's more snow east of 98 and north of the Thruway.

Hens said he isn't expecting much snow in Bergen and Le Roy today.

"Unless the moisture level picks up and the band expands we may not see much snow," Hens said, adding, "I've been in Buffalo for 47 years off and on and it (snow patterns) still fascinates me."

Closings announced for the next three days

By Howard B. Owens

Send your closings to howard@thebatavian.com

  • Due to the predicted inclement weather, GCASA’s Batavia and Albion offices will be closed, Wednesday, Jan. 30th. Crisis Services will be available at 585-815-1800.
  • All afternoon and evening activities in Batavia City Schools are canceled today. Schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm.
  • Classic Optical - closed Wednesday & Thursday
  • Alexander Central School
  • Byron-Bergen Central School District
  • Elba Central School District
  • Notre Dame High School
  • Pavilion Central School District
  • Pembroke Central School District
  • The Richmond Memorial Library will close at 5 p.m. and will remain closed until the travel advisory is lifted for Genesee County.
  • The GriefShare meeting scheduled to take place at Northgate Free Methodist Church has been canceled
  • Northgate Free Methodist Church and Arbor House (South Campus) are closing and canceling all activities for the remainder of Tuesday 1/29/19, Wednesday 1/30/19 and Thursday 1/31/19.
  • The Salvation Army store on Jackson Street will be closed Wednesday; it may possibly be closed on Thursday.
  • Northside Deli will be open Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
  • YWCA
  • Le Roy Central School District closed Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Darien Town Hall is closed Wednesday.
  • LeRoy Urgent Care – 3 Tountas Ave., Le Roy Primary Care offices remain open)
  • Pembroke Diagnostics - 860 Main St., Corfu
  • Alberty Drugs - Closing at 2 p.m. today
  • Valle Jewelers - Closing at 2 p.m. today
  • Benny's Barber - Closed for the remainder of the day
  • Scopano's Lanes in Oakfield -- County Line Stone League scheduled for tonight is cancelled.
  • Red Osier - Closed this evening. Reopens tomorrow at 4 p.m.
  • Blue Pearl - Classes cancelled today and tomorrow.
  • The Yngodess Shop
  • Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union closes at 2 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 30.
  • Le Roy Federal Credit Union closed at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
  • Foxprowl Collectables on Ellicott Street is closed Wednesday.
  • UMMC Cardiac Rehab at 215 Summit St. in Batavia will be closed Wednesday afternoon and tomorrow (Jan. 31).
  • Chassix Automotive -- Closed Wednesday for 2nd and 3rd shift.
  • UMMC practices and Urgent Care will be closing early Wednesday (1/30). Hospital and Emergency Department remain open 24/7. Call 585.343.6030 with questions.
  • Genesee County Animal Shelter will be closed for public visiting hours Wednesday. Animal Control officers will remain on duty and can be contacted at 343-6410.
  • Town, City and State courts closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
  • Applebee's restaurant in Batavia will be closed Wedensday evening (Jan. 30)
  • Batavia City Hall closed Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. due to weather.
  • Hardcor Audio
  • Art Ah La Carte is closed and will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 31.
  • Trash-Away customers whose normal pickup day is Thursday: Trash collection Jan. 31 is cancelled and will resume next week.
  • The Divine Tree - Closed Thursday

Travel advisory in effect for Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In anticipation of the impending major snow/wind storm, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Genesee County Highway Department and Emergency Management Services, has issued a travel advisory for all of Genesee County.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary travel due to the expected significant accumulation of snow combined with strong winds and sub-zero wind chill temperatures.

These conditions will undoubtedly create white-out conditions and extremely dangerous travel for all motorists.  

This Advisory is in effect from today from 3 p.m. (Jan. 29) until further notice.

Sheriff William Sheron reminds motorists that dark traffic signals that are not working are to be treated as a four-way stop.

Heavy snowfall, high winds, bitter cold still in forecast for next 36 hours or so

By Howard B. Owens

The National Weather Service has revised its snowfall projections for the anticipated winter storm hitting Western New York this afternoon and expected to linger in the area until Thursday morning.

The weather service is calling for 8 to 15 inches of snow in some areas and winds as high as 40 mph with wind chills dropping to 30 below.

A winter storm warning is in effect. 

The forecasters at 13WHAM are predicting 6 to 10 inches of snow for Genesee County with Batavia's wind chill dipping to 36 degrees below zero.

The highest levels of snowfall in the county are expected to be west of Batavia.

The winter storm warning is in effect until 7 a.m., Thursday, with a wind chill warning in effect from 6 a.m. tomorrow through 6 p.m., Thursday.

The weather service cautions that travel during the worst of the storm could be impossible and that during the wind chill period frostbite is possible to exposed skin in less than 30 minutes.

Pets should be kept indoors to reduce their exposure to weather conditions.

City reminds residents about snow removal procedures in advance of expected storm

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

With the arrival of significant winter weather the past few weeks and next several days, the City of Batavia Department of Public Works would like to ask for the public’s cooperation as we all try and navigate these storms.

Private plowing contractors should be aware that plowing snow into the street or onto the sidewalk is not allowed and creates dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians.

Property owners are ultimately responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property. The City supplements sidewalk plowing as crews become available and as need dictates, however, this can only be completed after streets and municipal parking lots are plowed. School routes and main road sidewalks are then given priority.

We appreciate everyone’s efforts managing these snow events. 

State Police encourage drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during expected storm, offers safety tips

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The New York State Police is advising motorist to avoid any unnecessary driving during the winter storm that is forecast to bring a significant amount of snow and -25 degrees below zero temperatures across the Western New York Wednesday into Thursday evening.
 
Troopers will be out checking all major routes of travel to ensure that motorists are as safe as possible and working with local Emergency Operations Centers as needed. The State Police need your assistance to make this possible.

Motorists traveling in areas impacted by the snow are asked to leave with extra time to make a slow and careful drive to your destination. Take into consideration snow accumulation on the roads, the current snowfall rate, the wind, and visibility. Use your best judgment to determine if driving is prudent. 
 
Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Get the latest weather forecast before leaving with your local weather apps, monitor radio or TV stations.
  • Always clean your windows and mirrors FULLY of any snow and ice before driving.
  • Keep a full tank of gas.
  • Fluid levels are sufficient ( windshield washer fluid, anti-freeze).
  • Spare tire is sufficient and you have the jack and wheel wrench.
  • Use headlights at all times to increase your visibility to others. Remember, if your windshield wipers are in use due to weather, then your headlights must be on.
  • Drive prudently. If the conditions are adverse, you should decrease your speed accordingly.
  • Brake early.
  • Do NOT use cruise control. This decreases your reaction time to apply braking.
  • Look out for events farther down the road. Creating more time to react can make a difference.
  • Be aware of maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles. Give them room to work.
  • If you do not absolutely have to go out on the roads, then don’t.

If you do go out, is your vehicle prepared?

  • Is your trunk supplied to help you to be safe in case you are stopped or stranded in an area without assistance readily available?
    • Gloves, blankets, warmers, tool kit, first-aid kit, nonperishable foods, water, working flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, etc.
    • Shovel, ice scraper, de-icer, snow brush, rock salt or cat litter, tow chain or cable, jumper cables or battery charger, etc.

If you are involved in a collision or leave the roadway:
 
If you drive off the roadway and are stuck in a snow bank or ditch, stay in your vehicle and call 9-1-1. DO NOT exit your vehicle unless it is an absolute emergency. You put yourself at risk of being struck by another vehicle.
 
Roll your windows down a few inches or turn your vehicle off if you are stranded in snow for a period of time with your vehicle running. Covered mufflers can cause serious physical injury or death due to inhalation of carbon monoxide.
 
If you should become stranded on the Thruway or any roadway, know your location by being aware of your direction and mile post marker. This will help emergency personnel reach your location as quick as possible. 
 
Follow the New York State Police's Twitter page @nyspolice for up-to-the-minute information on road closures and weather alerts.
 
The Thruway Authority provides a wide variety of information for travelers including current traffic conditions, accidents, and lane closures. Visit www.thruway.ny.gov for more information. 
 
Slow down. Be prepared. Be safe.

UPDATED: Up to two feet of snow, high winds, possible in approaching storm that may hit Tuesday and Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: Hazardous weather outlook -- A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m., Thursday. A wind chill watch has also been issued for Thursday afternoon. The wind chill could reach 25 below zero.

-----

A winter storm watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening in Genesee County.

The National Weather Service is expecting heavy lake effect snow with storm totals of one to two feet possible in the most persistent bands.

Winds could gust as high as 45 mph later Wednesday through Thursday. Some areas could experience near blizzard conditions with severe blowing and drifting snow.

The storm is also expected to hit Erie and Wyoming counties.

The weather service warns travel could be difficult to impossible, especially Tuesday night through Thursday, due to heavy snow and significant blowing and drifting snow. The conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes.

Snow squall warning in effect, multiple vehicles reported off the road, whiteout conditions

By Howard B. Owens

A snow squall warning for Genesee County was issued at 7:18 a.m. and is effect until 8:15 a.m.

Dispatchers have received reports of multiple vehicles off the road in Pembroke, Alabama, Oakfield and Batavia, and town snow plow drivers are reporting whiteout conditions in Alabama.

The National Weather Service reports a dangerous snow squall has formed from Rochester to near Allegany State Park and is moving east at 45 mph.

There are wind gusts up to 30.

The weather service warns of poor visibility and dangerous, life-threatening travel conditions. 

"Consider avoiding or delaying travel until the snow squall passes your location," the weather service advises."If you must travel, use extra caution and allow extra time. Rapid changes in visibility and slick road conditions may lead to accidents."

Heavy snow expected Friday and Saturday for some of Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Up the 14 inches of lake effect snow could fall on parts of Genesee County between 1 a.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning has been issued.

The storm is most likely to hit west and south of Batavia, particularly Corfu.

In areas hit hardest by the storm, travel could be difficult.

Freezing rain expected in the morning

By Howard B. Owens

The National Weather Service in Buffalo is warning local residents to expect freezing rain early Wednesday morning, which could affect the morning commute.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Up to 1/10th of an inch of freezing rain could fall with wind gusts up to 40 mph.

Untreated roads could be slippery and there may be limited visibility at times making travel potentially hazardous.

Weather service warns of potentially dangerous wind chill

By Howard B. Owens

A wind chill advisory is in effect until 7 a.m., with a "feels like" temperature of as low as 15 below zero possible.

Wind chill can cause frostbite to skin exposed for as little as 30 minutes.

The National Weather Service advises that if you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin.

Weather cancellations for Monday

By Howard B. Owens

Weather-related cancellations for today:

  • Alabama fire is canceling bingo tonight because of anticipated extreme cold.

Send weather cancellations to howard@thebatavian.com

Photos: Snow in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

There was plenty of snow on the ground in Batavia today.

Above, Hannah Burket and Jesse Foster shovel their driveway on Liberty Street, and below, also on Liberty, Russ Borden uses his snowblower.

A car buried in the snow on Liberty Street.

Jackson and Ganson

South Jackson

Alva Place

Main and Bank

The monument of Gen. Emory Upton.

Lewis Place

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