wny weather travel ban

Travel ban lifted in Erie County as road conditions improve, warmer weather settles in

A travel ban has been lifted in New York’s Erie County, days after it was put into place as a deadly blizzard swept across the region, at times reducing visibility to zero.

The ban, which was implemented Friday, expired at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, officials said.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown told reporters Wednesday night that the roads were in good enough condition to lift the ban.

“It has been 6 days,” Brown said. “Some people have not been able to restock groceries, to restock medications, to get to medical appointments, and being able to lift the travel ban safely now will allow people to do those important things.”

Most streets in the city are passable, Brown said, and he expected crews to have made a pass down the center of every residential street by the end of the night.

Though the ban has been lifted, a travel advisory was in place for Erie County as cleanup continues and a county-wide state of emergency remained. Brown asked people to be cautious and avoid driving unless necessary.

More than 450 pieces of equipment were on Buffalo streets plowing and hauling snow, and many traffic signals were still not working, he said.

The storm dumped upwards of 20 inches of snow in parts of New York — including nearly 52 inches at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

The powerful storm plunged much of the United States into a deep freeze, creating life-threatening conditions as more than 1 million homes and businesses were left in the dark, and wreaking havoc on flight schedules during the busy holiday travel week.

At least 76 people died in the storm, according to an NBC News tally. Erie County accounted for 37 of the deaths, 29 of which were in Buffalo.

Weather-related deaths were also reported in Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Illinois and Vermont.

In Buffalo, officials said it was possible the number could rise.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said Wednesday night that police have cleared the backlog of calls relating to welfare checks, stranded motorists and reports of bodies.

Search and rescue teams were returning Thursday to check locations where bodies had been reported but could not be confirmed — either because of the amount of snow or the vagueness of location, Gramaglia said.

"We believe there were some credible 911 calls that contained more information ... low single digit numbers, that's again why we're going to concentrate our efforts on hitting those areas," he told reporters.

In Erie County, 17 of the people who died in the blizzard were found outside and four were in a vehicle , according to County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Several people died because of a delay receiving emergency services or from cardiac events related to shoveling or blowing snow. Of the deaths, nine were people who died because they had no heat in their homes, he said.

Poloncarz said in a tweet Wednesday night that 500 National Guard members have conducted nearly 850 welfare checks on residents who had longterm power outages.

Power was being restored to New York, and by early Thursday, about 400 customers in the state were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us .

In Buffalo, where more than 20,000 customers were without power at one point during the storm, only three had no electricity Wednesday night, according to Brown, the mayor.

On Wednesday, city offices, facilities and roadways opened, as temperatures rose into the 40s across parts of New York.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which has been closed since Friday , reopened Wednesday.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday night that all major state highways in western New York, including the Erie County portion of Interstate 190 and several state routes, would reopen at midnight.

“I am extremely grateful to all the highway maintenance workers, first responders and emergency service staff who continue to work tirelessly to help their fellow New Yorkers," Hochul said in a statement .   

The temperature is expected to continue climbing to the low-50s in the Buffalo region by Friday, and will help melt the accumulated snow, according to the National Weather Service .

Claire Cardona is a breaking news editor for NBC News Digital.

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Winter weather warning: Update on travel bans

3RD UPDATE: Just before 8 a.m., Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted , “Effective immediately, the travel ban has been lifted in the Town and Village of Lancaster. At 9am, the ban will be lifted in the Town of Cheektowaga and Villages of Sloan and Depew. We are in contact with the City of Lackawanna and will have updates soon.”

••••••••

2ND UPDATE: BAN LIFTED

• COMMERCIAL VEHICLE BAN LIFTED : The full commercial vehicle ban has been lifted on the New York State Thruway between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania state line (I-90) in both directions, as well as the entire length of the (I-190) Niagara section.

•Statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown

“Over the last 24 hours, we have seen dangerous, rapidly shifting conditions across Erie County. Our forecasts predict the City of Buffalo and eastern suburbs will receive an additional foot of snow tonight. To address these extreme conditions, we will be extending all current travel bans and advisories until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. At that time, restrictions will be lifted everywhere in the City of Buffalo, most of Erie County, all state roads and the New York State Thruway. A full travel ban will continue in the City of Lackawanna and the towns of Cheektowaga and Lancaster, which will be hardest hit overnight, but will be reevaluated after 6 a.m. We are grateful to the plow drivers, emergency personnel and first responders working to keep our communities safe.”

UPDATE: Hochul updates New Yorkers on extreme weather, travel bans

√ Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst, Clarence and Newstead reopen to vehicle traffic

√ Travel ban remains in place in Central Erie County and many south towns; commercial vehicles also banned on New York State Thruway between Exit 46 and Pennsylvania state line 

√ New Yorkers should continue to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel

Gov. Kathy Hochul and local authorities today announced that full travel ban for passenger and commercial vehicles in Erie County will be lifted in Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst, Clarence and Newstead at 3:30 p.m. Central Erie County and many south towns will remain under a full travel ban until further notice, and the thruway remains closed to commercial traffic between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania state line.

Drivers are advised to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel.

“Our crews have been working around the clock to keep the roads clear and New Yorkers safe, and I am grateful that the vast majority of New Yorkers heeded our ban and stayed off the road,” Hochul said. “As conditions are improving in the north towns, we are lifting the travel ban there, but if you do not have to travel today, stay home and let our crews continue to work. If you are in central Erie County and much of the south towns, continue to stay home.”

New Yorkers in Western New York are being urged to stay home throughout the duration of the storm. Travel in impacted areas could be dangerous at times throughout the evening due to life-threatening blizzard-like conditions. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at https://alert.ny.gov , a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

Currently, there are 25,569 outages statewide, including 18,518 outages in the Mid-Hudson region, 90 in Western New York and 42 in the North Country. Utility crews have kept up with the level of power outages incurred to date, and remain on standby to restore any additional power outages if and when they occur.

On Friday, Hochul declared a state of emergency to warn and prepare New Yorkers for potentially dangerous and life-threatening weather forecasted to impact communities along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario with blizzard-like conditions. The state of emergency remains in effect and applies to the following counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego and Wyoming.

Earlier this morning, the travel ban was lifted in the towns of Collins, North Collins, Concord, Sardinia, Colden and Holland, as well as in the villages of North Collins and Springville.

Warming Shelters

New York state continues to operate warming shelters with cots, pillows and blankets, as well as mental health counselors at each site for assistance with using facilities. New York National Guard and the New York state incident management team are operating sites at:

√ Erie Community College (South Campus), 4041 Southwestern Blvd., Buffalo

√ Windom Elementary School, 3870 Sheldon Road, Orchard Park

√ Orchard Park Middle School, 60 South Lincoln Ave.

The City of Buffalo has also opened warming shelters. More information can be found here . New York state has provided water and MREs for both state and city warming shelters.

√ Potentially life-threatening blizzard conditions impact Western New York

√ Full travel ban in effect for passenger vehicles in Erie Country beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday and reassessed at 6 a.m. Sunday, Allowing Plows to Clear Roads Safely Overnight

√ Full travel ban for commercial vehicles on all state, county and local roads in Erie County and on the New York State Thruway between Exit 46 & Pennsylvania state line also beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday through duration of storm

√ New Yorkers can subscribe for emergency alerts  here

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul and local authorities on Saturday announced a full travel ban for passenger vehicles will be in effect for all of Erie County beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday to give plow crews time and space to clear roads during the overnight hours.

This ban will be reassessed at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Additionally, all commercial traffic will be banned on all state, county and local roads in Erie County and on the New York State Thruway between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania state line beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday, as well. This ban will remain in effect indefinitely.

"Forecasts predict the most dangerous winter storm conditions since the Christmas Blizzard of 2022," Hochul said. "Working closely with county and city leaders, we are instituting a 9 p.m. travel ban that takes effect tonight to keep motorists safe."

New Yorkers in Western New York are being urged to stay home throughout the duration of the storm. Travel in impacted areas will be impossible and dangerous at times throughout the weekend due to life-threatening blizzard-like conditions.

After consulting with state officials, the NFL has decided to postpone the Bills-Steelers playoff game until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15. 

New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at  https://alert.ny.gov , a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

A widespread 1 to 2 feet of heavy lake-effect snow is forecast to impact areas near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, including the cities of Buffalo and Watertown, with isolated, higher amounts possible, and snowfall rates reaching 3 inches per hour at times starting Saturday night and continuing through Sunday morning.

Winds will be strong in parts of Western New York with gusts up to 65 mph Saturday night and sustained winds of up to 40 mph on all day Sunday, while areas near Lake Ontario, including Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties, will see winds gusting as high as 50 mph through Monday.

Potentially life-threatening conditions are expected including damaging winds, heavy lake-effect snow, and frigid wind chills in the single digits starting Saturday night and continuing through to the middle of the week.

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at  https://alerts.weather.gov.

On Friday, Hochul declared a state of emergency to warn and prepare New Yorkers for potentially dangerous and life-threatening weather forecasted to impact communities along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario with blizzard-like conditions. The state of emergency applies to the following counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego and Wyoming.

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Travel Ban for Empty Trucks/Trailers and All Tandem Trucks

The current ban on all empty trucks/trailers and all tandem trucks remains in effect on the following routes:

•Thruway:

√ I-90 Exit 46 – state of Pennsylvania line

√ I-190 (south of the North Grand Island Bridge)

•NYSDOT:

√ Buffalo Skyway (NY 5)

√ U.S. 219

√ NY 400

√ I-190 (North of the North Grand Island Bridge)

√ I-290

√ I-990

√ Kensington Expressway (NY 33)

√ I-86 in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties

At 5 p.m. today, New York state will open and will operate warming shelters with cots, pillows and blankets, as well as mental health counselors at each site for assistance with using facilities.

New York National Guard and the New York State Incident Management Team will operate the sites at:

√ Erie Community College (South Campus), 121 Ellicott St., Buffalo

The City of Buffalo will open shelters in the city this afternoon – more information here .

New York state will provide water and MREs for both state and city warming shelters.

Search and Rescue

New York has surged additional search and rescue resources to Western New York in response to this storm including:

• 33 state-tracked vehicles
• 25 military vehicles

Additional resources are staged outside the storm area ready to deploy, if needed, and the state is coordinating with the county to engage the snowmobile clubs for additional assistance, as well.

Agency Activities

•New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has activated the state’s emergency operations center in Albany to coordinate the state's response throughout the severe weather event. The Office of Emergency Management is in contact with local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance, and state stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and shelter supplies as needed.

The state fire mobilization and mutual aid plan is activated and the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control has 24 personnel and various types of emergency response vehicles staged at the Buffalo Airport. The New York State Incident Management Team was deployed to Western New York in advance of the storm to assist with emergency management-related tasks.

•The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs is mobilizing 100 soldiers and airmen with 25 vehicles from the New York National Guard to provide general support to Western New York.

•The New York State Department of Transportation is actively responding to this statewide weather event with more than 3,700 operators and supervisors available statewide. Staff can be configured into any type of response crews that are needed (flood response, chipper, load and haul, sewer jet, cut and toss, traffic signal, etc.). All residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed for 24/7 operations with operators, supervisors and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.

In addition to existing resources, the NYS DOT has deployed 74 staff, including 54 additional operators, 11 supervisors, six equipment trainers, two Incident command support specialists and one safety representative, to Western New York, along with 25 large snowplows, three large snowblowers, two loaders and a grader. Additionally, four traffic signal technicians are being deployed to the Finger Lakes region.

Statewide assets are as follows:

• 1,599 large plows
• 337 loaders
• 148 medium plows
• 82 wheeled and tracked excavators
• 52 tow plows
• 37 snowblowers
• 32 traffic signal trucks
• 23 pickup trucks with plows
• 13 tree crew bucket trucks

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit https://www.511ny.org or the mobile site at m.511ny.org , New York state's official traffic and travel information source.

•The Thruway Authority is ready to respond to the lake-effect winter storm in Western New York with more than 700 operators and supervisors available statewide. The agency is shifting additional staff and snow fighting equipment from the Syracuse, Albany and New York divisions to support snow and ice operations in Western New York throughout the weekend.

Staff is currently monitoring the storm track, and additional operators and equipment are on standby and will be deployed if conditions warrant.

Statewide equipment numbers and resources are listed below:

• 364 large and medium-duty plow trucks
• 10 tow plows
• Approximately 120,000 tons of salt on hand

Variable message signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the thruway.

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its  mobile app , which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras, and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for  TRANSalert emails and follow @ThruwayTraffic on X for the latest traffic conditions along the thruway.

•Department of Public Service: Electric utility companies regulated by the Department of Public Service will have approximately 11,000 workers available statewide to engage in response, repair and restoration efforts for this weekend’s winter weather event. Below is a breakdown of utility internal workers and external contract workers secured for this latest winter weather event.

√ Con Edison: 750 workers, including 100 external contract line workers for its Bronx/Westchester operating division

√ Orange & Rockland: 270 workers

√ NYSEG/RG&E: 4,358 total workers, including secured/maintained 2,630 external line workers and 436 external tree workers

√ National Grid: 4,362 total workers, including secured/maintained 2,069 external line workers and 382 external tree workers.

√ PSEGLI: 1,134 workers

√ Central Hudson: 135 workers

The utilities’ emergency response plans remain activated and will be reactivating their incident command structures to track response, damage assessment, repair, and restoration efforts throughout the event. DPS staff will track utilities' work throughout the event and ensure utility companies shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact. If your service is interrupted, visit the DPS utility service interruptions website for tips.

•The New York State Police continues to monitor weather conditions and is deploying additional troopers to impacted areas as needed. All State Police four-wheel drive and specialized vehicles, including snowmobiles, airboats and utility-terrain vehicles, are staged, and necessary equipment is being utilized for immediate response, as needed. All emergency power and communications equipment are functioning appropriately.

•New York State Department of Environmental Conservation emergency management staff, environmental conservation police officers, forest rangers and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor the developing situation and weather forecasts. DEC is coordinating resource deployment with agency partners and all available assets to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to rain snow, and high winds, including swift water rescue teams and sawyers.

DEC reminds those responsible for the removal and disposal of snow to follow best management practices to help prevent flooding and reduce the potential for pollutants like salt, sand, oils, trash and other debris in snow from affecting water quality. Disposal of snow in local creeks and streams can create ice dams, which may cause flooding in nearby areas. Public and private snow removal operators should be aware of these safety issues during and after winter storms. Additional information is available at https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/togs5111new.pdf .

•New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Response equipment is being fueled, tested and prepared for storm response use. State Parks has sawyer crews in Western New York and the North Country on standby for deployment for potential road clearing operations.

Bills Game Postponed

Sunday’s Buffalo Bills-Pittsburgh Steelers Wild Card game moved to 4:30 p.m. Monday

National Football League Press Release

Due to public safety concerns in light of the ongoing weather emergency in Western New York, Sunday's Buffalo Bills-Pittsburgh Steelers game has been rescheduled to Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by CBS (WIVB-TV Channel 4).

The decision to move the game to Monday was made in consultation with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the best interest of public safety, and with the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the region prepares for the storm.

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Current WNY travel bans and advisories

A State of Emergency has been declared in Erie County. More info here.

Cleanup efforts continue Wednesday. Residents are being reminded by county officials not to drive in ban areas. It will hinder the work of heavy equipment operators working to clear the areas of snow.

CLOSURES (PER NITTEC ):

• Rte. 5 Eastbound - Closed at Tifft Street to I-190 (3.2 miles).
• Rte. 5 Westbound - Closed from I-190 to Tift St.
• Rte 400 Southbound - Closed from I-90 to Olean Rd. 
• Rte 400 Northbound - Closed from Olean Rd to I-90 (15.0 miles).
• Rte 219 Northbound - Closed from Rte 39 to Ridge Rd.
• Rte 219 Southbound - Closed from I-90 to Rte 39.
• I-90 Westbound - Closed from Exit 46 (Henrietta) to PA line.
• I-90 Eastbound - Closed from PA line to Exit 46 (Henrietta).
• Ramp I-290W to I-190S - Closed
• I-290 Eastbound - Closed at Exit 6 (Sheridan Drive) to I-90 (1.9 miles).
• I-190 Southbound - Closed from Exit 16 (I-290) to I-90

ADVISORIES:

• Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and contiguous counties - State of Emergency
• Northern Cattaraugus County - Travel Advisory
• Genesee County - Travel Advisory
• Town of Newstead - Travel Advisory
• Village of Akron - Travel Advisory
• City of Dunkirk - Travel Advisory
• Town of Boston - Travel Ban
• Eden - Travel Ban
• Sloan - Travel Ban
• Corfu - Travel Ban
• Darien - Limited Travel Ban
• East Aurora - Travel Ban
• Aurora - Travel Ban
• Alden - Travel Ban
• West Seneca - Travel Ban
• Orchard Park - Travel Ban
• Cheektowaga - Travel Ban south of Genesee Street
• Village of Lancaster - Travel Ban - until 6 a.m. Wednesday
• Village of Depew - Travel Ban - Transit, Walden and Broadway shut down. More than 100 cars stranded
• City of Lackawanna - Travel Ban
• Town of Marilla - Travel Ban
• Town of Elma - Travel Ban
• Town of Evans - Travel Ban
• Town of Hamburg - Travel Ban
• Village of Blasdell - Travel Ban
• Buffalo - Travel Ban in South Buffalo, everything south of Clinton Street

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Travel Ban Now In Effect For Parts Of Buffalo

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As Buffalo gets pummeled by a second snowstorm this week, a travel ban has gone into effect for parts of the city. Officials just sent out a message to warn some residents not to drive.

UPDATE: As of Thursday, January 18, 2024, the travel ban has been lifted. However, a travel advisory still remains in effect.

The Travel Ban south of Broadway will be lifted at 8am this morning. A travel advisory will remain in place. A reminder that City Hall is closed today. ~ Mayor Byron Brown

During the first snowstorm Governor Hochul said that 300 tickets were issued to people who were caught driving on the I-90 during the travel ban.

The Skyway has been closed in both directions as of a message sent out by the City around 7:30 this morning. There is a travel advisory still in effect for parts of the city that are not subject to the travel ban. The city warns residents to avoid any unnecessary travel. If you do have to travel, as an essential employee or for an emergency, please use caution.

Travel Ban Issued For South Buffalo

Travel in South Buffalo is not permitted at the current time. A travel ban message was issued at approximately 8:23 am. Driving is prohibited south of Broadway, including Kaisertown, Lovejoy, and Old First Ward due to heavy snowfall and lack of visibility. Mayor Byron Brown also tweeted about the driving ban,

A Driving Ban is now in effect in the City of Buffalo ONLY in areas South of Broadway which includes South Buffalo, Kaisertown, Lovejoy & Old First Ward. The snowband is expected to move north through the City as the day goes on.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo warns a lake effect snow band is behind the heavy snowfall today,

A heavy lake effect snow band will be across the Buffalo metro area today. The band will meander northward to southern Niagara County this afternoon, then will shift back southward late this afternoon and evening. Expect near whiteout conditions within the heavy snow band.

5 Vehicles That Don't Belong On The Roads In A Snowstorm

Gallery Credit: Clay Moden

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