A state of emergency for the city of Buffalo will go into effect at 7 a.m. ET on Friday, Mayor Byron Brown said Thursday during a news conference with emergency management officials.
According to Brown, conditions will deteriorate quickly on Friday.
“We will see a flash freeze in the morning followed by a rapid drop in temperature, a cold front, and the start of extremely challenging weather,” Brown said. “Strong and steady winds of up to 60 miles per hour are expected. Heavy lake-effect snow will develop in parts of the city with areas of blowing and drifting snow and white out conditions, and the potential for power outages.”
Brown also said residents should brace for lakeshore flooding.
“As Buffalo residents, we are used to winter weather and often take it in stride. But forecasters say this is not our typical storm. So please don’t expect 4 to 5 inches and be complaining about driving and plowing,” Brown said. “This is not going to be a typical storm; in fact, this could be a life-threatening storm.”
Brown encouraged residents to finish holiday and grocery shopping before the end of the day Thursday.
“This is a very significant storm, a different kind of storm than last time,” Public Works Commissioner Nate Martin said. “Conditions themselves will be dangerous for all individuals. Please do not be on the roads if you don’t need to.”
Friday’s garbage and recycling collection is canceled, Martin said, as visibility will be extremely difficult.
Brown said there is great potential of downed trees and power lines throughout the storm.
David Bertola, a spokesperson for National Grid utility company, said about 2,800 crew members from across the country are expected to deploy to Buffalo and western New York.
“This weekend is our game day and we’re ready,” Bertola said.