⚠️ Travel Advisory | Chautauqua County, NY

MAYVILLE, NY – Chautauqua County officers are urging residents to keep away from journey as a significant winter storm impacts Chautauqua County, bringing heavy snowfall, robust winds, and quickly deteriorating highway situations.

A Travel Advisory is issued for all of Chautauqua County from 3:30 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2025, by way of 7:00 a.m. Thursday, January 1, 2025.

According to the National Weather Service, the Winter Storm Severity Index has reached the “Major” class, signaling harmful to unattainable journey situations, widespread disruptions, and potential impacts to important infrastructure.

Snow is actively falling throughout the county, with 18 to 24 inches of accumulation anticipated. Snowfall charges are reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour, with bursts of as much as 3 inches per hour in intense lake impact snow bands. Whiteout situations are occurring, with visibility decreased to close zero at instances on account of blowing and drifting snow.

County Officials Urge Extreme Caution

“Conditions are deteriorating quickly, and travel is becoming increasingly dangerous,” mentioned Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. “If you do not need to be on the roads, please stay home. Staying off the roads helps protect you and allows plow crews, law enforcement, and emergency responders to operate safely.”

“Whiteout conditions can develop in minutes, even on roads that were recently plowed,” mentioned Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone. “We are asking motorists to slow down, increase following distance, and give snowplows and emergency vehicles the space they need to do their jobs.”

Noel Guttman, Chautauqua County Director of Emergency Services, added, “This storm is ongoing and long-lasting. Conditions will continue to change rapidly, especially under lake effect snow bands. Residents should remain alert, monitor official updates, and be prepared for power outages and extended travel disruptions.”

Respect Snowplow Crews Working Around the Clock

County freeway and public services crews are actively clearing roads and responding to hazardous situations all through the storm.

“Our plow operators are working long hours in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions to keep roads passable,” mentioned Tim Card, Chautauqua County Director of Public Facilities. “We ask motorists to be patient, give plows plenty of room, and never attempt to pass them. Respecting plow crews helps keep everyone safe and allows them to do their jobs effectively.”

Motorists are reminded:

• Do not cross snowplows or observe too carefully
• Expect decreased speeds and sudden stops
• Remember that plows might have to re-clear the identical roads a number of instances as snow continues to fall

Travel Strongly Discouraged

Residents ought to keep away from journey until completely needed. Those who should journey ought to:

• Clear all snow and ice from automobiles earlier than driving
• Drive slowly and don’t use cruise management
• Leave further distance between automobiles
• Roads could also be slick even once they seem moist

Additional Safety Guidance

• Shovel safely: gown in layers, keep hydrated, raise small quantities of snow, and take frequent breaks
• If stranded in a car, cut back the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning:
  • Run the engine for 10 minutes per hour
  • Open home windows barely for air flow
  • Keep the exhaust pipe away from snow
• Generator security: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/generator
• Winter security suggestions: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/winter

National Weather Service Update

The National Weather Service experiences {that a} Winter Storm Warning stays in impact till 1:00 a.m. EST Friday for Chautauqua County.

• Snow totals: 1 to three toes potential
• Wind gusts: Up to 65 mph Monday, reducing to round 45 mph Tuesday
• Impacts: Whiteout situations and blowing snow are creating treacherous and probably life-threatening journey situations, with hazardous situations anticipated to persist by way of the week
• Lake impact snow bands might shift ceaselessly, producing domestically increased snowfall totals

Safely Check on Neighbors, Especially the Elderly

County officers additionally encourage residents to verify in on neighbors, notably older adults, people with disabilities, and people dwelling alone, whereas prioritizing private security.

• Use cellphone calls or textual content messages when potential
• Offer assist with important wants, comparable to meals, drugs, or snow removing
• Watch for indicators of energy outages or medical misery
• Do not try journey if situations are unsafe — name for help if wanted

Stay Informed

Residents ought to proceed monitoring situations by way of native media and official forecasts from the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov by looking out by ZIP code.

Chautauqua County will proceed to offer updates as situations evolve on-line at chqgov.com and on social media: @ChautauquaCountyAuthorities.