State of Emergency declared for much of WNY amid storm

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Several counties throughout Western New York have been placed under a State of Emergency amid this weekend's winter storm, Governor Kathy Hochul said Friday.

Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Allegany and Wyoming counties were placed in a State of Emergency just before 2:45 p.m.

An "extreme impact" is expected for multiple towns in Southern Erie County, including in Brant, Eden, Evans, Hamburg and parts of Orchard Park, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said in a news conference Friday. Northern Erie County is expected to get six inches at most.

"The snow totals through Monday are significant, but these are not amounts we cannot handle, because it's falling basically over a two-day period," Poloncarz said.

Several other counties across New York were also put under a State of Emergency.

The snow is not expected to be falling during the Bills game on Sunday night, but the area around Highmark Stadium is expected to get 20-30 inches of snow in the days and hours leading up to the game.

Snow throughout much of the area began on Friday. Several feet of snow is expected in the areas off of the lake, including in Southern Erie County and Chautauqua County. The highest lake-effect potential will mainly target higher elevation areas south of Rt. 20A starting on Friday. The lake snow starts across Chautauqua County late tonight through Friday morning and continues through the weekend.

Those from Buffalo northward can expect to get into the snow later on Saturday with only minor totals. Winds on Friday and Saturday are expected in gusts of up to 30 mph, creating whiteout conditions.

A Code Blue has been put into effect for Friday night in Erie County and the City of Buffalo. The following overnight shelters will be open:

• 586 Genesee St., Buffalo, N.Y., 14204 -- Open 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Dulski Center, 129 Lewis St., Buffalo, N.Y., 14206 -- Open 8 p.m. to 7 am

The following Daytime Warming Center will be open on Saturday:

• 586 Genesee St., Buffalo, N.Y., 14204

To see the full 4Warn Weather forecast, click here.