Travel bans continue

Travel bans in the Town of Newstead and Village of Akron remain in place this morning as crews continue to work to open up main roads. They are hampered by significant drifts and vehicles stuck in the roadways. The Town of Newstead is being assisted by a local company with hi-lifts in the efforts. Around 300 Town residents do not have power and there as some internet outages as well. Town of Newstead Supervisor David Cummings indicates the situation is difficult and everyone is doing their best to clear the roads.

The Genesee County Sheriff issued an update this morning that road conditions in several areas of that County continue to be extremely dangerous with severe blizzard conditions, blowing and drifting snow, zero visibility and extreme cold temperatures and that emergency service providers are still in the process of attempting to clear vehicles that became stranded over night.

A travel ban remains in effect for Alabama, Oakfield, Elba, Pembroke, Darien, Batavia, and Alexander.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is for your safety and that of our
emergency personnel that you stay where you are until conditions improve.
Hundreds of vehicles are stranded, and it has been very challenging, if not
impossible, to get to them. We want everyone to have a safe holiday so if you have
to postpone family gatherings, please do so. It could save your life or that of your
loved ones,” stated Sheriff Sheron.

A travel ban means no travel for anyone except emergency vehicles which includes
police, ambulance, snow plows, fire, etc.
A travel advisory means that no unnecessary travel is advised. A trip which could
wait until the advisory is lifted should not be made.