Buffalo, West New York Brace for Potentially Hazardous Storms

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BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for parts of western New York starting Thursday, ahead of a dangerous period of snowfall due to the effects of the lake.

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The National Weather Service is forecasting up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) or more of snow through Sunday, which could “paralyze” the hardest-hit areas, including Buffalo, during a period of near-zero visibility.

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The Hotchol state of emergency covers 11 counties and will be closed to commercial trucks on a section of Interstate 90 southwest of Buffalo after 4 p.m. Thursday.

Snowfall was expected to peak between 7:00 p.m. Thursday and 7:00 p.m. Friday.

“I want western New Yorkers to take this seriously,” Ho-chul said.

The storm could disrupt the Buffalo Bills’ home game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. said there are potential options in Detroit and Washington.

The Bureau of Meteorology also warned that parts of northern Michigan could see more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) of lake-effect snow through Sunday.