4 million under winter storm alerts as snow buries Buffalo, rest of Great Lakes region
More than 4 million people across five states were under winter storm alerts on Sunday as heavy lake-effect snow continued to bury the Great Lakes region, prompting emergency declarations and the deployment of National Guard troops to rescue stranded motorists.
Another day of intense lake-effect snow bands was occurring Sunday, especially in western New York, which has already received more than 40 inches of snow since Thursday and is expecting up to 24 more inches on Sunday into Monday.
Parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin were under winter alerts as of Sunday.
Buffalo area expecting more snow
A lake-effect snow warning remained in place on Sunday from Cleveland, Ohio, to Buffalo, New York.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Saturday that 11 counties, including the Buffalo area in Erie County, are in a state of emergency.
Hochul said on Sunday that more heavy snowfall is forecast for western and central New York through Sunday night and into Monday, adding that the snow could fall at rates of up to 4 inches per hour.
Snowfall totals showed Barns Corner in New York's Lewis County had received 45 inches of snow from the Arctic outbreak by Sunday morning, while Cattaraugus County's Perrysburg recorded 37.6 inches and Lewis County's Copenhagen received 36.5 inches.
Hochul said an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow is possible in western New York, with the greatest accumulation over northern Chautauqua and south-central Erie counties. She said an additional 2 to 3 feet of snow is possible in the North Country with the greatest accumulation from northern Tug Hill to near Watertown.
Lake-effect snow is common this time of year as colder air moves over the relatively warm water of the lakes, leading to extremely localized bands of heavy snowfall for an extended period.
"An intense lake effect band across Watertown and Jefferson county will continue to produce 3-4 inches per hour rates today," the National Weather Service in Buffalo said Sunday in a social media post.
Shovelers called to clear Highmark Stadium for Bills-49ers game
At Highmark Stadium in the Buffalo suburb of Orchard Park, the Buffalo Bills are preparing to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, and the snow cleanup has been a grueling effort after more than 18 inches of snow has already fallen and more is forecast for the 8:20 p.m. kickoff.
There was so much snow that the Bills put out a call for shovelers to help remove the snow before game time, offering $20 an hour plus food and hot beverages.
"As New Yorkers face the ongoing impacts of lake-effect snow, first responders are working around the clock to ensure the safety of our communities," Hochul said. "With tonight's kickoff in our sights, we are doing everything we can to clear roads, assess damage, and provide state and local partners with the resources they need."
Travel advisories were issued for Jefferson and Lewis counties, and portions of Erie County.
Hochul said lake-effect snow will start to enter central New York and parts of the Mohawk Valley region on Sunday afternoon and into Monday. Between 4 to 10 inches of snow is forecast for central New York and 3 to 5 inches in the Mohawk Valley region.
The state's Department of Transportation banned empty and tandem commercial vehicles on I-86 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-390 and on State Route 219 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-90.
In addition to the National Guard members, Hochul said extra personnel have been deployed to help with possible power and road emergencies.
Pennsylvania National Guard deployed to rescue stranded drivers
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro also issued a disaster emergency proclamation and deployed National Guard troops to Erie County, Pennsylvania, to rescue stranded motorists. The Pennsylvania State Police responded to more than 200 traffic incidents between Friday and Saturday alone, Shapiro said.
"At the county's request, I've called in the Pennsylvania National Guard -- who are now on the ground -- to help any stranded drivers and make sure emergency responders can get to folks who need them," Shapiro said in a statement.
Erie County, Pennsylvania, Executive Brenton Davis said the local disaster emergency will stay in effect until the middle of this week.
Davis said county buildings, including courthouses, in Erie County will be closed on Monday and Tuesday and that officials are advising school districts to remain closed, as well. He said residents should minimize travel.
Counties in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania have recorded huge snowfall totals since Friday.
Gaylord, Michigan, picked up 24.8 inches of snow Friday, marking its single snowiest calendar day on record and shattering its previous record of 17 inches on March 9, 1942.
