The snow is finally tapering off, but there will be no escape from bitter cold temperatures as the region continues to navigate the harshest winter weather of the season to date.
A massive storm that swept across the U.S. over the weekend hit the Cataract City on Sunday morning, and through Wednesday has officially left 7.8 inches of snow on the ground according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Buffalo. Forecasters said the accumulations could have been worse, except that the Niagara Region was largely clipped by only the northern edge of the larger nationwide storm system.
Among the highest snowfall totals, Sanborn recorded 9.9 inches from Sunday through Wednesday.
NWS meteorologists said the area remains at risk for more lake effect snow because portions of the surface of Lake Erie remain open and unfrozen. Forecasters said open water north of Cleveland could provide the fuel for additional snow.
Falls snow removal crews are continuing to work around-the-clock shifts. City Administrator Anthony Restaino said a break in the snowfall would aid their efforts.
“I think for the most part, the main streets and secondary streets have been very good,” Restaino said. “The non-stop snow from Sunday to Monday meant we couldn’t do everything we needed on the side streets.”
Restaino said Department of Public Works Director Kenny Tompkins and his deputy have been out and “responding to calls” from residents with snow removal concerns.
The city has been able to deploy nine plow and salter-equipped dump trucks, two pick-up trucks with mounted plows and a payloader to use for snow removal. Restaino said those 11 pieces of equipment would be on the streets from 3. p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.
I think we’ve been doing the best we can with our staff,” the city administrator said.
Restaino also said that a break in the snow from Wednesday to the weekend would allow streets crews to address snow piles building up in the Main Street and Pine Avenue business districts. The administrator said new snow removal equipment, recently purchased by the city, has “been holding up well.”
The city was also recently resupplied with road salt.
Restaino said the city is also monitoring temperatures, should it be necessary to implement a Code Blue. He said both public libraries, the John Duke Center and the Niagara Gospel Mission and Community Missions were available for shelter during normal operating hours.