Buffalo, New York snow storm closes schools, leaves nearly 400,000 without power
[[Image:Buffalo snow storm5.jpg|right|200px|thumb|All that is left standing of this tree on Granger Place in Buffalo, New York is the trunk.]]
{{dateline|date=October  13, 2006|location=Buffalo, New York}}
[[w:Lake effect snow|Lake effect snow]] has come early to parts of Western New York prompting a State of Emergency and a flood watch to be issued, especially in Buffalo, New York and its suburbs where nearly 2 feet of snow fell during the afternoon and last night. Snow started to fall at around 12:00 pm [[w:North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]] on Thursday, October 12, heavy at times, and accompanied by thunder and lightning. Forecasters called the weather event "unprecedented." A driving ban has been issued for [[w:Tonawanda, New York|Tonawanda, New York]], Buffalo and [[w:Amherst, New York|Amherst]] where at least "80% of roads in Amherst are impassible." The [[w:Buffalo Niagara International Airport|Buffalo Niagara International Airport]] opened at almost 3:30 p.m. [EST]. The New York State Throughway, or interstate 90 is closed from nearly [[w:Rochester, New York|Rochester, New York]] to [[w:Dunkirk, New York|Dunkirk, New York]] which is nearly 110 miles long. Motorists at the [[w:Williamsville, New York|Williamsville, New York]] toll barrier are being turned around. A driving ban remains in effect while a state of emergency exists.

Water will be shut off in 24 hours due to the lack of electricity to water pumps in the area and in a press conference, Mayor of Buffalo, Byron Brown issued a "boil water advisory." Brown also said that "70,000 of the 75,000 residents and businesses in Amherst are still without power." Residents are asked to bottle water and prepare for the outage. It is not known when water will be turned back on. At least 30 water intake pumps in Erie County, out of the 50 the county has, have no power. Officials say that businesses and residents could be out of water by 5:00 p.m. [EST].

At least 3 people have been killed due to the storm. Two of those people were killed in a two-car accident in [[w:Lancaster, New York|Lancaster, New York]], and the other person was in Niagara County and died after being hit by a vehicle. One person was crushed and killed by a falling tree in Amherst, while in the process of removing snow from his property.

Hundreds of trees have snapped in half as the snow began to fall around the city. Many trees, which still have their leaves, have broken into pieces as the heavy, wet snow began to pile up, as much as an inch an hour. Early on Thursday, the airport had received nearly 9 inches (23cm) of snow and climbing. The storm has caused many delays and cancellations in flights leaving from or going to Buffalo.
[[Image:Buffalo snow storm8.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This car on Granger Place in Buffalo, New York was nearly completely covered by the nearly 2 feet of snow that fell on October 12 and 13 2006.]]
Nearly 400,000 people in Buffalo and surrounding suburbs are still without power and forecasters at the NOAA are warning people "not to go outside in an area where heavy snow has fallen unless absolutely necessary." Power may not be restored to the affected areas until Sunday and possibly next week in some areas. Damage to trees is extensive with nearly every tree destroyed on Granger Place in Buffalo. 

"This was extremely heavy snow and most of the trees still have most of their leaves ... we can't do a complete damage assessment until the snow stops falling," said spokesman for Niagara Mohawk, Western New York's area power company, Steve Brady.

"At 8 pm [on Thursday], utility companies were reporting over 50,000 customers without power. The reason for the widespread power outages has been the combination of very heavy water laden snow accumulating on the trees that still have most of their leaves. Tree's limbs break under the weight of the snow and bring down power lines as they fall," said a statement on NOAA's website. 

"[This is the] snowiest day in 137 years [of weather records]. Six inches of snow occurred on October 13, 1909 and again on October 31, 1917," added the NOAA weather statement.

Many business and nearly every school in Western New York are still closed due to the weather and the snow is forecasted to move south again over the Buffalo Metropolitan area, but snow amounts are not expected to be significant. Wind is expected to be strong and gusty which could bring down tree limbs which are broken but still attached to the tree. Some areas could se an additional 6 inches of snow by Saturday morning.

The flood watch takes effect at 2:00 p.m. [EST] and continues through Saturday.

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== Sources ==
{{original}}
*{{source|url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1160689842673&call_pageid=968332188492
|title=Buffalo snowstorm kills three
|author=Associated Press
|pub=Toronto Star
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=41839
|title=Western New Yorkers Could Be Out of Water by This Afternoon
|author=
|pub=WGRZ
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=NYZ010&warncounty=NYC029&local_place1=Buffalo&product1=Flood+Watch
|title=Flood Watch
|author=
|pub=NOAA
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4256926.html
|title=Great Lakes region buried by early snow
|author=Carolyn Thompson
|pub=Houston Chronicle
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061013.wsnow1013/BNStory/International/home
|title=First snowfall causes chaos in New York State
|author=
|pub=Globe and Mail
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-buffalo-snow,1,3751021.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines
|title=Snow Knocks Out Power in Western N.Y.
|author=
|pub=Los Angeles Times
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=nation_world&id=4654481
|title=Snow Arrives in Buffalo
|author=Associated Press
|pub=6abc.com
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/nation/15745906.htm
|title=Snow knocks out power around Buffalo
|author=
|pub=Contra Costa Times
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=41820
|title=Storm Slams Western New York
|author=
|pub=WGRZ
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=24898&r=l
|title=Historic snowfall
|author=
|pub=WROC TV
|date=October 12, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.wben.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=05996
|title=Driving Ban, Advisories In Parts Of WNY
|author=
|pub=WBEN
|date=October 12, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=NYZ010&warncounty=NYC029&local_place1=Buffalo&product1=Special+Weather+Statement
|title=SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
|author=
|pub=NOAA
|date=October 12, 2006}}

{{publish}}
{{archive-sighted}}
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:New York]]
[[Category:Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Weather]]
[[Category:Power outages]]
All that is left standing of this tree on Granger Place in Buffalo, New York is the trunk.

Lake effect snow has come early to parts of Western New York prompting a State of Emergency and a flood watch to be issued, especially in Buffalo, New York and its suburbs where nearly 2 feet of snow fell during the afternoon and last night. Snow started to fall at around 12:00 pm EST on Thursday, October 12, heavy at times, and accompanied by thunder and lightning. Forecasters called the weather event "unprecedented." A driving ban has been issued for Tonawanda, New York, Buffalo and Amherst where at least "80% of roads in Amherst are impassible." The Buffalo Niagara International Airport opened at almost 3:30 p.m. EST. The New York State Throughway, or interstate 90 is closed from nearly Rochester, New York to Dunkirk, New York which is nearly 110 miles long. Motorists at the Williamsville, New York toll barrier are being turned around. A driving ban remains in effect while a state of emergency exists.

Water will be shut off in 24 hours due to the lack of electricity to water pumps in the area and in a press conference, Mayor of Buffalo, Byron Brown issued a "boil water advisory." Brown also said that "70,000 of the 75,000 residents and businesses in Amherst are still without power." Residents are asked to bottle water and prepare for the outage. It is not known when water will be turned back on. At least 30 water intake pumps in Erie County, out of the 50 the county has, have no power. Officials say that businesses and residents could be out of water by 5:00 p.m. EST.

At least 3 people have been killed due to the storm. Two of those people were killed in a two-car accident in Lancaster, New York, and the other person was in Niagara County and died after being hit by a vehicle. One person was crushed and killed by a falling tree in Amherst, while in the process of removing snow from his property.

Hundreds of trees have snapped in half as the snow began to fall around the city. Many trees, which still have their leaves, have broken into pieces as the heavy, wet snow began to pile up, as much as an inch an hour. Early on Thursday, the airport had received nearly 9 inches (23cm) of snow and climbing. The storm has caused many delays and cancellations in flights leaving from or going to Buffalo.
This car on Granger Place in Buffalo, New York was nearly completely covered by the nearly 2 feet of snow that fell on October 12 and 13 2006.
Nearly 400,000 people in Buffalo and surrounding suburbs are still without power and forecasters at the NOAA are warning people "not to go outside in an area where heavy snow has fallen unless absolutely necessary." Power may not be restored to the affected areas until Sunday and possibly next week in some areas. Damage to trees is extensive with nearly every tree destroyed on Granger Place in Buffalo. 

"This was extremely heavy snow and most of the trees still have most of their leaves ... we can't do a complete damage assessment until the snow stops falling," said spokesman for Niagara Mohawk, Western New York's area power company, Steve Brady.

"At 8 pm on Thursday, utility companies were reporting over 50,000 customers without power. The reason for the widespread power outages has been the combination of very heavy water laden snow accumulating on the trees that still have most of their leaves. Tree's limbs break under the weight of the snow and bring down power lines as they fall," said a statement on NOAA's website. 

"This is the snowiest day in 137 years of weather records. Six inches of snow occurred on October 13, 1909 and again on October 31, 1917," added the NOAA weather statement.

Many business and nearly every school in Western New York are still closed due to the weather and the snow is forecasted to move south again over the Buffalo Metropolitan area, but snow amounts are not expected to be significant. Wind is expected to be strong and gusty which could bring down tree limbs which are broken but still attached to the tree. Some areas could se an additional 6 inches of snow by Saturday morning.

The flood watch takes effect at 2:00 p.m. EST and continues through Saturday.

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United States New York Buffalo, New York Weather Power outages