Massive Storm Creates Multiple Travel Bans In Western New York

Mother nature has struck again.  A massive lake effect storm is currently sitting over Western New York and it’s making travel an issue.

They’ve been forecasting this storm for days.  Now that it’s here, it’s living up to the hype.  Governor Kathy Hochul has already declared a State of Emergency for our area.  The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning for Western New York until 1 pm on Friday afternoon (12/13), which means that this isn’t going to get better for a little while.

Your best decision is to stay home if you can.  That’s not just for your own safety but also to help make the jobs of the people who are trying to keep the roadways clear a little easier.  If there are fewer people on the roads, they’re able to clear them up a little more efficiently.  Think about when you’re trying to snow blow your driveway.  Is it easier when there aren’t any cars in it?

As of 9 am , in Western New York, there are multiple travel bans and advisories in effect.

Travel Bans have been issued in:

• Town of Brant
• Town of Evans
• Town and Village of Hamburg (As of 9:30 am)
• Blasdell (As of 9:30 am)
• The 219 is closed in both directions
• The I-90 Exit 55 (Springville – Orchard Park – Lackawanna – West Seneca – US Route 219 – Ridge Road) is closed until further notice

Travel Advisories are in effect in:

• City of Dunkirk
• Town of Pomfret
• Fredonia

There is also a tandem and empty trailer ban for the following roadways:

• NY Route 5 from NY 179 to I-190 (Erie County);
• US 219 from I-90 to I-86 (Erie and Cattaraugus counties);
• NY Route 400 from I-90 to NY 16 (Erie County); and
• I-86 from US 219 to the Pennsylvania State Line (Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties)

These advisories and bans will change throughout the day.  We will try to keep them updated as they come in.  Please avoid driving in these areas if at all possible.