Travel prohibited in Lancaster, West Seneca, South Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Hamburg

State emergency operations center remains open for those affected

NFTA south towns service suspended; road closures include part of Thruway

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today issued an update on the lake effect snow in Western New York. The New York State Emergency Operations Center remains open as snow continues to fall to assist anyone in need of help due to these storms.

"Keeping New Yorkers safe is our No. 1 priority, and I urge drivers to stay off the road in this dangerous weather," Cuomo said. "We are deploying resources to clean up as quickly as possible, and we ask that only necessary trips are made until we do so."

Travel Bans

Travel bans are in effect in Lancaster, West Seneca, South Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Hamburg. During a travel ban, driving for any reason is prohibited. Travel advisories, which restrict drivers from any unnecessary trips, are ongoing in all of Erie and Genesee counties.

Road Closures

The list of current road closures is as follows:

•NYS Thruway (I-90) from Exit 46 in Rochester to Exit 61 in Ripley;

•I-290 from Exit 6 (Sheridan Drive) to the Thruway (I-90);

•I-190 Niagara Thruway from exit 1 (South Ogden Street, near Thruway mainline Exit 53) to exit 16 (I-290, neat South Grand Island Bridge);

•Route 5 (the Skyway) between I-190 Niagara Thruway and Tifft Street in the City of Buffalo;

•Route 219 between the Thruway and Route 39 in the Town of Concord;

•Route 400 between the Thruway in West Seneca and Route 16 in the Town of Aurora.

Public Transportation Delays and Cancellations

Additionally, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has suspended South towns bus service due to continuing snow and impassable roads. Buses are still operating in the City of Buffalo and in the north towns. The following Metro routes are not running at this time: 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 36, 42, 36, 42, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75 and 76. All other routes are operating, but may be running late.

State Emergency Operations Center Open

Cuomo activated the New York State Emergency Operations Center in Albany yesterday at 8 p.m. It will stay open through Wednesday evening. Personnel from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (with staff from the office of emergency management as well as the office of fire prevention and control), Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Thruway, State Police, Public Service Commission and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs are on hand to provide assistance.

The storm is being monitored and the office of emergency management is in close contact with the National Weather Service, with stockpiles ready to deploy to counties that request, including assets such as generators and storm supplies. The State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has regional directors and staff from the office of emergency management in the county emergency operations centers.

State Plows and Small Removal Equipment Deployed to Region

The New York State Department of Transportation moved eight plows and 36 operators and supervisors from around the state to Western New York to assist with snow removal operations. They will have a total of 410 snowplows and 1,018 operators and supervisors working on this storm. The department is fully stocked with road salt.

The New York State Thruway Authority has a total of 200 plow operators and supervisors working on the storm, with 97 plow trucks, 18 frontend loaders, one large truck-mounted snow blower and 37,000 tons of salt. The Thruway Authority has moved additional resources to Western New York including nine heavy-duty plow trucks, two frontend loaders, two large snow blowers and nine plow operators.

Use Caution If Travel Is Necessary

It is important for motorists on all roads to note snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit in order to ensure salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.

Motorists and pedestrians also should keep in mind snowplow drivers have limited sight distances, and the size and weight of snowplows make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted.

Some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include:

•Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered;

•Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles;

•Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations;

•Assume bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces;

•Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see, but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing;

•Have a cell phone handy, if possible, but do not text while driving; distracted driving is illegal and becomes even more dangerous during storm events;

•Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound;

•Equip your car with emergency supplies, including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes;

•Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route and estimated time of arrival; and

•Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound.

Motorists should also include the following emergency items in their vehicles:

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Charged cell phone and automobile charger

• Basic first-aid kit

• Blankets or sleeping bags

• Extra clothes, including rain gear, boots, mittens and socks

• Windshield scraper and brush

• Fire extinguisher

• Shovel

• Sand, road salt and/or cat litter for traction

• Tire chains or traction mats

• Basic tool kit, including pliers, wrench, and screwdriver

• Towrope

• Battery jumper cables

• Road flares/reflectors

• Brightly colored cloth (to use as a flag)

• Road maps

The New York State Department of Transportation provides a travel advisory system that features real-time travel reports and can be accessed by dialing 511, online at www.511ny.org, or via a downloadable smart phone app. The website features a color-coded map indicating which state roads are snow covered, ice covered, wet, dry, or closed to help travelers determine if travel is advisable. The system provides real-time snow and ice conditions for interstates and other heavily traveled roads, as reported by snowplow operators.

Motorists can sign up for TRANSAlert emails regarding Thruway traffic conditions at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/index.shtml. Thruway travelers are encouraged to visit www.Thruway.ny.gov for real-time traffic updates. To see an interactive map, including Google traffic conditions for the Thruway and other roadways in New York and beyond, visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=traffic.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services also recommends residents should prepare their homes and families for winter weather. This includes stocking up on supplies in the event a winter storm or power outage prevents you from leaving your home. Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs to see if they are in need of assistance. Additional safety tips can be found on the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website at: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/safety-info/publicsafety/winter.cfm.