BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As the latest lake effect snowstorm rolls through Western New York, conditions will change rapidly. You can check the latest closings here and follow the latest updates on travel conditions and alerts below.
All travel bans have been lifted as of 3 p.m.
Current Travel Advisories: Southtowns and Southern Erie County
Friday 3 p.m. update
The State of Emergency and travel ban have been lifted in the City of Lackawanna. All travel bans have now been lifted.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office announced it responded to over 80 calls involving around 200 vehicles.
- 59 calls for vehicles off the road
- 10 calls for broken-down motorists
- Nine calls for vehicular accidents
- Four calls for road obstructions
"I would like to express my personal thanks to all of the essential workers who braved the elements to help people this week, especially the hard-working staff of the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Employees of our Police Services, Jail Management and Correctional Health Divisions did their job admirably in less-than-ideal conditions. They are our greatest asset and make the Erie County Sheriff's Office the professional agency that it is."
Friday 2:30 p.m. update
The travel advisory in the Town and Village of Orchard Park will end at 5 p.m. on Friday. The State of Emergency in the Town and Village of Orchard Park will end at 7 p.m. Friday.
Friday noon update
The only travel ban that remains is in Lackawanna, which will expire at 3 p.m.
Friday 9:30 a.m. update
Routes 219 and 400 have reopened. All truck restrictions for the Thruway have been lifted.
Friday 9 a.m. update
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says Routes 219 and 400 will open at 9:30 a.m. and all truck restrictions for the Thruway will be lifted then.
Friday 8:30 a.m. update
The Erie County Executive posted an updated travel ban and advisory map.
Friday 7:30 a.m. update
The City of Lackawanna is issuing a travel ban until 3:00 p.m. The city says this will allow crews to clear the roads after almost two feet of snow feel since 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Lackawanna City Hall and the Senior Center are closed.
Friday 7 a.m. update
The travel bans have been lifted in the Town and Village of Orchard Park and Town of Wales. A travel advisory will remain in place.
Friday 6:30 a.m. update
The travel ban in the Town of Evans and Village of Angola has been lifted.
Friday 6 a.m. update
The travel ban in the Town and Village of Hamburg and the Village of Blasdell was lifted at 6 a.m. However, all three will remain in a state of emergency and be under a travel advisory until further notice.
The travel ban in the Town and Village of Orchard Park will be lifted at 7 a.m. A state of emergency and travel advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Wyoming and Genesee Counties have lifted their travel advisories.
Thursday 11 p.m. update
Lake effect snow slammed the Southtowns Thursday. Officials were working to clear the snow before the second round overnight. You can watch our full report below.
We also stopped and spoke with residents in Orchard Park as they were digging out Thursday night. You can watch our full report below.
Thursday 6:30 p.m. update
The driving ban will remain in place in the Town of Hamburg and Village of Blasdell overnight as crews work to clean up.
Eileen Buckley was out in the Southowns on Thursday and spoke to residents and officials. You can watch her full report below.
Thursday 5:30 p.m. update
Derek Heid was out in Genesee and Wyoming counties on Thursday to see how they were adjusting to the heavy lake effect. You can watch his full report below.
Thursday 5 p.m. update
The Dunkirk Police Department announced the travel ban will be downgraded oa travel advisory at 6 p.m.
Thursday 4:30 p.m. update
Route 219 remains closed in both directions.
Thursday 3:30 p.m. update
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz declared a State of Emergency for all of Erie County due to the snow. According to Poloncarz, the primary reason for the declaration is to allow the Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services and Erie County DPW to activate resources necessary to assist communities if needed.
The East Aurora Police Department is reminding drivers that the driving ban remains in place and anyone who requires assistance due to "unjustified driving" will be cited.
Thursday 1:45 p.m. update
Eileen Buckley provides an update on conditions in Hamburg.
Thursday 1:30 p.m. update
The Town of Colden issued a travel bn joining several other Southtowns municipalities.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. update
Derek Heid reports from Pavilion where there are whiteout conditions.
Thursday 12:30 p.m. update
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced that travel bans are in place in Elma, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Aurora, Wales, Evans, Eden, Boston, Holland, Brant, and North Collins. Travel advisories are in place in Lackawanna, West Seneca, Marilla, Colden, Collins, Concord and Sardinia.
A State of Emergency has been declared in Eden, Holland, North Collins and the Village of North Collins and Wales.
The Wegmans located at 3740 McKinley Parkway will close at 4 p.m. Thursday to allow employees to get home safely.
Thursday noon update
Eileen Buckley reports from Blasdell where a driving ban remains in effect. You can watch her live report below.
The Hamburg Emergency Coordinator joins Katie Morse and Michael Wooten to talk about the driving ban. You can watch that segment below.
Thursday 11:35 a.m. update
The City of Dunkirk has issued a travel ban effective immediately. Only essential workers are allowed to travel. Residents are asked to follow alternate parking regulations.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. update
The East Aurora Police Department says Route 400 is now closed.
Thursday 10:30 a.m. update
Thursday 10:00 a.m. update
The Village of East Aurora and the Town of Aurora are under a State of Emergency. A travel ban went into effect at 10:00 a.m.
Chautauqua County is urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
The Hamburg Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is closed Thursday. Anyone with tickets for tonight's drive-thru only event can use their ticket for any other drive-thru only night.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. update
Orchard Park has declared a State of Emergency and enacted a driving ban effective at 9:30 a.m., remaining until further notice.
Thursday 8:45 a.m. update
The westbound on-ramp to the 219 south at Exit 55 (Springville-Orchard Park-Lackawanna-West Seneca-219-Ridge Road) is now closed until further notice.
A travel ban will take effect for the Town of Hamburg at 9:30 a.m.
A travel advisory has been issued for Wyoming County.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. update
The 219 is now closed in both directions from I-90 to Peters Road (Springville).
Thursday 8 a.m. update
Travel bans have been issued in the towns of Brant, Evans and Aurora and the Village of East Aurora. A travel advisory is now in place for the town and village of Orchard Park and the City of Dunkirk.
Wednesday 9:30 p.m. update
Buffalo City Hall will be closed on Thursday, December 12. Officials ask you to use the city's website to pay bills and more. You can find that online here.
Wednesday 8:30 p.m. update
Buffalo Public Schools will be closed on Thursday..
Due to anticipated overnight snowfall and extremely high winds, and in consideration of the Governor's State of Emergency, the Buffalo Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, December 12, 2024. All students and staff are to stay home and to be safe. pic.twitter.com/7cB500fvgg
— Buffalo Public Schools (@Buffalo_Schools) December 12, 2024
Wednesday 8 p.m. update
Alden, Iroquois and Orchard Park Central School District will be closed on Thursday, December 12 due to inclement weather.
Wednesday 6 p.m. update
Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency for several counties, including Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Genesee ahead of the storm, which is expected to fire up across the Southern Tier tonight and Thursday morning.
A ban on tandem and empty tractor trailers will take effect at midnight for the following:
- The New York State Thruway from Exit 53 West to the Pennsylvania state line in both directions
- Route 5 from Route 179 to the 190
- Route 219 from I-90 to I-86
- Route 400 from I-90 to Route 16
- I-86 from Route 219 to the PA state line.
Our first responders and emergency crews are on the ground ready to deal with this storm.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 11, 2024
I urge New Yorkers to take precautions to stay safe. Monitor your local forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel, and sign up for emergency alerts: https://t.co/ELyoVQXm1n
