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News with a Local Lens

Follow here for updates on the mid-December storm
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Follow here for updates on the mid-December storm

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As the latest lake-effect snowstorm moves through Western New York, conditions will change quickly. You can check the latest closures here and follow the latest updates on travel conditions and alerts below.

Current travel bans: Lackawanna (until 3 p.m.), Angola and Brant.

Notice to current travelers: Southtowns and southern Erie County

Friday update 9:30 a.m.

Routes 219 and 400 have reopened. All truck restrictions for the Thruway have been lifted.

Friday update 9 a.m.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Routes 219 and 400 would open at 9:30 a.m. and all truck restrictions for the Thruway would be lifted then.

Friday update 8:30 a.m.

The Erie County Executive has released an updated map of travel bans and advisories.

Friday update at 7:30 a.m.

The city of Lackawanna is imposing a travel ban until 3 p.m. The city says this will allow crews to clear roads after nearly two feet of snow since 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Lackawanna City Hall and Senior Center are closed.

Friday update 7:00 a.m.

Travel bans have been lifted in the town and village of Orchard Park and the town of Wales. A travel advisory will remain in effect.

Friday update at 6:30 a.m.

The travel ban on the town of Evans and the village of Angola has been lifted.

Friday update at 6 a.m.

The travel ban in the city and town of Hamburg and the village of Blasdell was lifted at 6 a.m. However, all three will remain in a state of emergency and will be subject to a travel advisory until further notice.

The travel ban in the city and village of Orchard Park will be lifted at 7 a.m. The state of emergency and travel advisories will remain in effect until further notice.

Wyoming and Genesee counties have lifted their travel advisories.

Thursday update 11 p.m.

Lake effect snow hit the Southtowns on Thursday. Authorities were working to clear the snow before the second round that night. You can watch our full report below.

Lake-effect snow packs a punch for the Southtowns

Thursday update 6:30 p.m.

The driving ban will remain in effect in the city of Hamburg and the village of Blasdell overnight while crews work on the cleanup.

Eileen Buckley was in the Southowns on Thursday and spoke to residents and officials. You can watch his full report below.

“It was very difficult for our snow plows to keep up”: Lake effect snow hits Hamburg and Blasdell

Thursday update 5:30 p.m.

Derek Heid was in Genesee and Wyoming counties Thursday to see how they were adapting to the intense lake effect. You can watch his full report below.

Lake effect snow extends into Genesee and Wyoming counties; neighbors dig

Thursday update 5 p.m.

Dunkirk Police Headquarters announced that the travel ban would be downgraded with a travel advisory at 6 p.m.

Thursday update 4:30 p.m.

Route 219 remains closed in both directions.

Thursday update at 3:30 p.m.

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 this declaration is to allow the Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Erie County DPW to activate the necessary resources to assist communities if necessary.

The East Aurora Police Department is reminding drivers that the driving ban remains in effect and anyone needing assistance due to “unwarranted driving” will be cited.

Thursday update at 1:45 p.m.

Eileen Buckley provides an update on conditions in Hamburg.

Hamburg hit by heavy snowfall and strong winds

Thursday update at 1:30 p.m.

The City of Colden has issued a travel ticket joining several other Southtowns municipalities.

Thursday update at 1:00 p.m.

Derek Heid reports from the Pavilion where there are whiteout conditions.

Conditions change quickly as lake effect snow blows across WNY

Thursday update 12:30 p.m.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced travel bans are in effect 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 its doors at 4 p.m. Thursday to allow employees to return home safely.

Thursday noon update

Eileen Buckley reports from Blasdell where a driving ban remains in force. You can watch his live report below.

Lake effect snow hits Blasdell Thursday afternoon

Hamburg’s emergency coordinator joins Katie Morse and Michael Wooten to talk about the driving ban. You can watch this segment below.

Emergency coordinator talks about travel bans during lake effect storm

Thursday 11:35 a.m. update

The City of Dunkirk has issued a travel ban with immediate effect. Only essential workers are allowed to travel. Residents are asked to respect alternative parking rules.

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

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WKBW

The Village of East Aurora and the City of Aurora are under a state of emergency. A travel ban came into effect at 10:00 a.m.

Chautauqua County is urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

The Festival of Lights at the Hamburg Exhibition Center is closed on Thursday. Anyone with tickets for tonight’s drive-in-only event can use their ticket for any other drive-in-only event.

Thursday 9:30 a.m. update

Orchard Park has declared a state of emergency and issued a driving ban effective 9:30 a.m. until further notice.

Updated Thursday 8:45 a.m.

The westbound on-ramp to 219 South at Exit 55 (Springville-Orchard Park-Lackawanna-West Seneca-219-Ridge Road) is now closed until further notice.

A travel ban will come into force for the city of Hamburg at 9:30 a.m.

A travel advisory has been issued for Wyoming County.

Thursday 8:30 a.m. update

219 is now closed in both directions from I-90 to Peters Road (Springville).

Updated Thursday 8:00 a.m.

Travel bans have been issued in the towns of Brant, Evans and Aurora as well as the village of East Aurora. A travel advisory is now in place for the town and village of Orchard Park and the town of Dunkirk.

Wednesday update 9:30 p.m.

Buffalo City Hall will be closed on Thursday, December 12. Officials ask you to use the city’s website to pay your bills and more. You can find this online here.

Wednesday update 8:30 p.m.

Buffalo Public Schools will be closed Thursday.

Wednesday update 8 p.m.

The Alden, Iroquois and Orchard Park Central School District will be closed Thursday, December 12 due to inclement weather.

Wednesday update 6 p.m.

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Genesee, ahead of the storm, which is expected to hit the South tonight and Thursday morning.

A ban on tandem and empty semi-trailers will come into effect at midnight for the following cases:

  • New York State Highway, from Exit 53 west to the Pennsylvania state line, in both directions.
  • Route 5 from route 179 to 190
  • Route 219 from I-90 to I-86
  • Route 400 from I-90 to Route 16
  • I-86 from Route 219 to the Pennsylvania state line.