The weather service issued a blizzard watch early Friday morning for Niagara Falls, Welland and the South Niagara region. The warning says that “significant impact of the snow lake [are] expected to begin early this afternoon” and “30 to 60 cm of localized snowfall for the Fort Erie area” are on the way. Environment Canada warns travelers that “visibility may be reduced to near zero in heavy snowfall and localized snow.” New York state’s governor also declared a state of emergency in several counties in anticipation of a weekend storm. “The most significant snowfall is expected Thursday and Friday, with accumulations of up to four feet [1.2 metres] possible snow in the Buffalo area,” Gov. Kathy Hotchul said Thursday. The United States National Weather Service issued a “lake snow warning” early Friday morning, which remains in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday. A winter storm is in effect Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Between 60 and 120 centimeters of snow is expected to fall this weekend in southern Erie County. The Weather Prediction Center described it as a “potentially historic snowfall for Buffalo, New York.” A travel advisory is in effect, as of 8 a.m., for the city of Buffalo and the towns of Bradt, Colden, Collins, Concord, Holland, North Collins and Sardinia, according to Mark C. Poloncarz of the county board. Erie. In a statement, he said, “The city of Tonawanda and the cities of Amherst, Clarence, Newstead and Grand Island have been placed under a travel advisory as of 6 a.m. today.” He told CBC News “If things go well, even if we have a lot of snow, hopefully we’ll be able to clear it and [it] out of here so that normal business is done on Monday. But we’ll just have to wait and see. We’ll see what Mother Nature throws at us.” The travel ban remains in effect for the rest of Erie County, as shown on this map. (Erie County) Buffalo Niagara International Airport is reporting many delays and cancellations of arrivals and departures. Meanwhile, back on the Canadian side of the border, the first winter storm of the season is expected to hit Fort Erie harder. Environment Canada says people should make an emergency plan and take an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first aid kit and a flashlight.
Schools are open in Fort Erie and the Niagara region
Niagara public schools are open.
The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) says transportation for Fort Erie schools is being cancelled. Transportation is canceled for Garrison Road, John Brant, Peace Bridge, Stevensville and Greater Fort Erie Secondary School. If your child stays home, the board asks that you report their absence. Catholic schools are open, but student transportation has been canceled for schools in Fort Erie.
Organizers of the Fort Erie Santa Claus Parade, which was set for Saturday, sent a note to participants Thursday saying the event has been canceled, as recommended by the city’s road department. “They are unable to host a safe environment for the streets and patrons,” the note read. “There are no weekends available to reschedule the parade due to availability of bands/entertainment due to other scheduled parades/events.” Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop told the CBC Thursday afternoon that it could take three or four days to clean up the city, depending on the severity of the storm, but that’s something the city has done many times in the past. “We want to make sure residents appreciate that if we get the expected storm, that they’re not trying to go places they don’t have to because it’s safer to make sure you’re home. “We have the resources you need and that your family is safe,” Redekop said. New York state’s governor has declared a state of emergency in several counties in anticipation of a storm expected to last through the weekend. (Chris Mulligan/CBC)
