Several travel bans in place across Erie Co., ban also in place in N. Tonawanda

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Several travel bans are in place across Erie County due to the lake effect snow impacting Western New York.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, a travel ban was in place for:

• All areas south of Broadway in Buffalo. This includes Kaisertown, Lovejoy, and the Old First Ward.
• Orchard Park (a state of emergency has also been declared)
• Hamburg
• Lancaster
• Cheektowaga
• West Seneca
• Lackawanna
• Blasdell
• Depew
• City of Tonawanda

Effective 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a state of emergency has been declared and a travel ban is in place in the City of North Tonawanda. Mayor Austin Tylec said the state of emergency and a travel ban will remain in effect until 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Governor Hochul released the following guidelines for traveling in winter weather:

• Do not drive unless necessary.
• If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, a flashlight, extra batteries, extra warm clothing, a set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods, and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
• If you have a cell phone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
• The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.
• It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit, to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.
• Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it is operating.