NCSO: Travel ban lifted in Niagara County; Erie County in 'major coordination effort'

On Sunday morning, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office announced, “Effective immediately the travel ban for Niagara County has been lifted. A travel advisory will remain in place at this time. A travel advisory is also in place for the City of Lockport, City of Niagara Falls and the City of North Tonawanda.

Please use caution when traveling due to varying roadway conditions.”

City of Niagara Falls: Travel Ban Lifted, but Advisory Remains

From the Office of Mayor Robert Restaino:

“Merry Christmas! Our crews have been working throughout the night to clear obstructions and move snow drifts. The city will remove the travel ban but will maintain a travel advisory. Please exercise extreme caution if you are going to drive, as conditions in some areas are still challenging. Please remember your cooperation is necessary to effectively clean and clear snow from roadways.”

The office added, “As we continue to clear our streets, abandoned vehicles are being towed to make way for plows to clear the road. If you have had your vehicle towed, please call 716-286-4711 to receive information on your vehicle.”

Around WNY

The New York State Thruway Authority announced, “BUFFALO: ROAD CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC I-90 BETWEEN EXIT 46 ROCHESTER AND THE PA STATE LINE. I-90 in both directions, between Exit 46 Henrietta and the Pennsylvania state line, closed to ALL TRAFFIC, due to weather.”

And, “BUFFALO: ROAD CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC I-190 BETWEEN MILEMARKER 0 AND 21.1 ROAD CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC: I-190 in both directions between mile marker 0 and 21.2, due to weather.”

•Shortly after 1 p.m., Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted:

“A countywide driving ban remains in effect. Non-emergency vehicles on the roads right now slow down responses and power restoration for everyone. You may get stuck yourself, going from somewhere passable to somewhere impassable.”

Prior to that, he tweeted:

“The snow ban has unfortunately moved north again and has intensified, though still south of the worst impacted areas. Our @ErieCountyDPW crews report that snow is falling at a rate of 2-3" per hour and whiteout conditions persist.”

“The countywide driving ban remains as the storm ban shifts and is now hitting areas only lightly impacted by the storm up until this point.”

“From @ErieCountyESU Commissioner Neaverth, today is a major coordination effort. With visibility improved, we can deploy even more assets and partners to get into areas that were unable to be accessed up until this point.”

“Crews are out in the southtowns now as snow is falling at 3" per hour in some areas. This is why we need everyone to stay off the roads. We are clearing roads for emergency crews to continue to get where they're needed - and to make sure no more folks get stuck as the storm moves.”

“Strike team rescues are still focusing on individuals trapped in vehicles, and our other priority is working with utilities to get power restored. We are still trying to get into some of the hardest hit areas, particularly in the City of Buffalo.”

“If the storm has subsided near you and there is an open road, do not plan on going into the City of Buffalo to try and rescue family/friends. Most of Buffalo is still impassable. Just because it looks open near you, doesn't mean you will be able to get very far a few miles away.”

“While emergency services have resumed taking calls, but there are still significant delays due to impassable roads and stuck cars. This is especially true in the City of Buffalo. Our primary goal is to get solid routes open to the area hospitals.”

“This is not the Christmas any of us hoped for nor expected, but try to have as merry a Christmas as possible today. Remember the holiday spirit and why we're a community of good neighbors. Again, my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones.”