BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Significant lake effect snow is expected to impact portions of Western New York throughout the weekend and officials are taking steps to keep motorists safe.
New York Governor Kath Hochul announced that as of 3 p.m. on Friday, November 29, empty and tandem commercial vehicles are banned from the following until further notice:
- I-90 (NYS Thruway) from Exit 53 (Buffalo (Downtown) – Canada – Niagara Falls - I-190) to the Pennsylvania state line
- State Route 219 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-90
- I-86 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-390
A State of Emergency has been declared by Hochul for the following WNY counties:
- Allegany
- Cattaraugus
- Chautauqua
- Erie
- Genessee
- Wyoming
With lake effect snow impacting communities along Lakes Ontario & Erie, I am declaring a State of Emergency in Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugaus, Chautauqua, Genessee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, & Wyoming Counties, effective immediately.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 29, 2024
According to Hochul, New York State Department of Transportation forces are fully engaged and responding across the state with 3,527 supervisors and operators available statewide.
NYSDOT available equipment across the state includes:
- 1,635 large plow trucks
- 339 large loaders
- 150 medium-duty plows
- 51 tow plows
- 35 snow blowers
- 18 graders
Hochul also said the Thruway Authority is monitoring the forecast and is ready to respond with 691 operators and supervisors available.
Thruway Authority available equipment across the state includes:
- 368 large and medium-duty plow trucks
- 10 tow plows
- 63 loaders
- 126,000+ tons of salt on hand
You can find the latest traffic information here.
You can find the most up-to-date weather information from the 7 Weather team here.
