A blizzard warning was issued for the Central and Eastern parts of the country on December 22nd through the Christmas holiday. Advisories were released by multiple weather and government agencies listing how travel would be extremely dangerous, to at times, impossible due to whiteouts with near zero visibility and high winds. They requested the traveling public to alter travel plans and stay indoors, if possible.

DECEMBER 26, 2022, MONDAY

ANOTHER SNOWSTORM PREDICTED – Forecasts are predicting up to another foot of snow to come to the Buffalo area and one-to-two feet to the Watertown area, today and tomorrow. The storm is weakening but they are not out of the woods as of yet. A State of Emergency has been declared. (Gov. Hochul)

NATIONAL GUARD NY – State and Local resources, including the National Guard NY have performed heroic SAR efforts in the worst-of-the-worst weather conditions topping 550 so far. (Gov. Hochul)

UNSUNG HEROES – NY Gov. Hochul thanked those working in the State EOC and supporting the center by visiting them on Christmas Day. NYSDHSES, NYSDOT, NYSPOLICE, NYSThruway and National Guard NY are in the EOC and supporting operations and providing much necessary response support to area partners. (Gov. Kathy Hochul/12-25-2022)

BURIED VEHICLES – On my approach to Buffalo seeing evidence of our worst-ever storm: large tow trucks buried, and even some snow plows off the road. Our State crews are out working hard to clear the roads. Reminder to stay home and stay safe as they keep doing their work. (Gov. Kathy Hochul/12-25-2022)

BUFFALO’S AFTERMATH – According to photos, Buffalo shows how dangerous roads and weather conditions are currently. NYSDOT, NYSThruway, County and City snowplows are working around the clock to clear roadways. Photos here are from the downtown area. (Gov. Kathy Hochul/1035 EST)

SNOW REMOVAL – State Police are assisting snow removal crews with search and rescue. Erie County driving ban is still in affect. Stay off the roads, unnecessary vehicles traveling hinder crews from rescue and rescue. (NY State Police/1035 EST)

SNOW PLOWS – Erie County has about five snow plows out cleaning up throughout the Aurora District. DPW reports there is/has been no snowfall, temps are rising to the high teens, and no current wind. Roads are now clear. (Erie County DPW/1445 EST) In the Hamburg District, there are six plows doing the same. A new reassessment will be completed in the evening hours.

LIFE-SAVING- Erie County Sheriff Deputies used a UTV to save a man and his young son inside a car while fighting fatigue as they worked to help stranded residents in the blizzard in the Buffalo area. (Erie County Sheriff’s Office/Officer.com)

SKATING ICE RINK – The Cheektowaga Senior Center & the Cheektowaga Ice Rink will be closed today & on Tues., Dec. 27th. Youth & Recreation & hockey programming are canceled for Tuesday. All Town of Chktg. employees should report to work on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. (Town of Cheektowaga)

TRAVEL BAN – Although driving bans are in place for some areas of #ErieCounty people are encouraged to stay home so first responders can conduct welfare checks and plows can continue to clear the roadways. (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) The Travel Ban is for those in Buffalo, Lackawanna, Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Evans, Hamburg, Orchard Park and West Seneca (County Executive Mark Poloncarz)

RESCUES BY SHERIFF’S OFFICE – Over the past few days, deputies with the Special Operations Division have conduct more than 50 rescues throughout #ErieCounty using tracked vehicles snowmobiles and other means. Pleas stay off the roads during driving bans. (Erie County Sheriff’s Office)

DECEMBER 25, 2022, SUNDAY

STORM UPDATE – County Executive Mark Poloncarz will hold a storm briefing at 4:30pm with Governor Hochul. This may get pushed back to 5pm. We will update closer to that time if it gets moved back. Watch live on the Erie County YouTube channel at: http://youtube.com/eriecountyny

ACCIDENTS – Deputies are responding to 17 “vehicle off the roadway” calls this morning. There is still a driving ban – stay home and stay safe. (Erie County Sheriff’s Office 0500 PT)

WEATHER FORECAST – Just off a call with @NWSBUFFALO in which they announced the Blizzard will continue through the overnight into Sunday, with non-blizzard snows falling through Monday as well. The band is expected to move south during that time period and conditions will degrade rapidly. (Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Executive)

FROZEN PIPES – Protect your pipes and property! Frozen water pipes can burst and cause serious damage to your home. The American Red Cross has info on preventing frozen pipes, and what to do if they do freeze. Visit the Red Cross site here –> https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html (Erie County Emergency Services)

FIRST RESPONDERS – Over the past few days, deputies with the Special Operations Division have conducted more than 50 rescues throughout Erie

(Credit Erie Co SO – Rescues in the Blizzard on December 25, 2022)

County using tracked vehicles snowmobiles, and other means. Please stay off the roads during driving bans. (Content/Photo Credit – Erie County Sheriff’s Office)

ROADWAYS – The countywide driving ban is still in place. Just because your street is clear doesn’t mean that every road on your path will be safe. Driving today puts you at risk of being stranded in your vehicle. It is not worth the risk. (Erie County Emergency Services/0841 PT)

POWER OUTAGES – There are now less than 37,000 outages statewide as a result of the storm. NY’s utilities continue damage assessments and restoration efforts throughout the day. Majority of outages in Erie County this morning with 28,000 still in the dark. (NYS Division of HLS and Emergency Management/0700 PT)

DECEMBER 24, 2022, SATURDAY

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER MEDICAL EMERGENCY (New!) – A passenger on the Cruise Norwegian Gem had chest pains and was transported to a local hospital after members of the NYPD Harbor & SCUBA Team boarded the ship to an await NYPD Boat and FDNY. She was said to be recovering at the hospital. Great job, y’all! (Credit/Content – NYPD Special Ops)

9-1-1 – To address another social media rumor – Erie County’s SNOW hotline is not coordinating rides for people. If you need transportation to a hospital because of a life-threatening illness or injury, call 9-1-1. (Erie County Emergency Services)

POWER OUTAGES – -When you use candles, place them in a sturdy, safe candle holder that will not burn or tip over. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. -Use flashlights, not candles if you have a power outage. -Have a working fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. (Erie County)

TRAFFIC CONTROL – Believe it or not those are 2 of our patrol vehicles in Grand Island this morning at approximately 8:30. We are still in the middle of this blizzard and our deputies are still out there working. (Content/Photo Credit – Erie County Sheriff’s Office)

WEATHER CONDITIONS – The storm is not letting up in Buffalo. Emergency services throughout Erie County are unable to dispatch to emergencies because roads are impassable and there is zero visibility for plows. (Content/Video Credit – Marc Cohen, Rochester Chamber of Commerce)

DECEMBER 23, 2022, FRIDAY

CHECK ON NEIGHBORS – Erie County is experiencing severe and sustained winter weather conditions. Check on your neighbors. Help if you can. Refer to help through 2-1-1 or the 858-SNOW (858-7669) (Erie County, NY Government)

CLOSED (ROADS) – Due to deteriorating conditions and hazardous travel, ALL VEHICLES are banned on the Thruway (I-90) from exit 46 (Rochester I-390) to the PA border, and I-190 from I-90 to exit 22 (Route 62) until further notice. (NYS Thruway Authorityty)

TRAVEL ALERT – Due to the forecasted high winds in Western New York, a Tandem and Empty Truck/Trailer ban will go into effect on I-90 from exit 46 (Henrietta) to the PA line and on I-190 beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday (12/23) until further notice. (NYS Thruway Authorityy)

TRAVEL BAN – Erie County implemented a travel ban, at 0930 hours ET. (Erie County Govt)

TRAFFIC ALERTS – Reminders: As temps get colder, bridges will freeze, and roads can freeze in patches pay attention and watch for black ice. (NYSDOT)

UTILITIES – Posting again on behalf of our partners at utility companies – check your vents and make sure they are clear of snow. Snow totals may not be that much but drifting snow can block your furnace vents and put your household at risk of deadly poisoning. (Content/Image Credit – Erie County, NY Government) Info on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – CDC website – https://www.cdc.gov/co/default.htm

WEATHER FORECAST – The wintry weather will follow a cold frontal passage on Friday. The front will move from west to east across the area Friday morning through early afternoon, with the graphic showing the approximate times when the front will move through. (NWS Buffalo)

WARMING SHELTERS – (Erie County Executive Office)

DECEMBER 22, 2022, THURSDAY

A predicted winter storm has prompted the closures of several governments and schools.

(c) 2022 NW Fire Blog – Update 2 – 12/26/2022 – 1300 PT