County Director of EMS Noel Guttman said in a release that county officials attended briefings with local and national weather reporting organizations about the potential for severe storms in our region today.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo‘s hazardous weather outlook states that strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and tonight. The outlook reports that while the main severe weather threat will be damaging straight line winds and localized heavy rain, there will also be a non-zero potential for large hail and a tornado or two with the tornado risk greatest across the western Southern Tier.

Guttman said that National Grid and NYSEG are pre-positioning crews to be able to rapidly address any power outages. County Officials encourage residents to take precautions, avoid and report downed power lines, and follow any warnings that are issued about the storm.

National Weather Service in Buffalo Winter Storm Summary for Friday, December 23-Saturday, December 24, 2022

State and local crews are making final preparations ahead of a powerful winter storm that is expected to unleash heavy snow along with strong winds in Western New York.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said Emergency Services Director Noel Guttman has been in contact with Sunset Bay and upper lakeshore fire departments, “They are ready to house individuals should the need arise. Many of those people have been through this unfortunately before. They’re saying this time that this is a ‘once in a lifetime’ hurricane force winds in excess of 60 to 70 miles per hour, but we are prepared.”

Wendel said a briefing will take place today between Western New York elected officals. Governor Kathy Hochul has also directed state agencies to prepare emergency response assets in advance of the significant winter weather system.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has said flooding is likely along the Lake Erie Shoreline, including Sunset Bay area and the Dunkirk Harbor. This is in addition to freezing spray caused by very strong winds that could gust as high as 60 miles per hour.

The weather service said temperatures will plummet from the upper 30s into the teens Friday in a very short period of time. This flash freeze will make roads ice up quickly.

They added that travel will be difficult to impossible this weekend, including Friday. Heavy snow, with total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet in most persistent snows, is expected.

Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage and numerous power outages. And cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Chautauqua County received a Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete an update to the County’s 2016 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).

The purpose of hazard mitigation planning is to reduce damage to the environment and prevent the loss of life and number and severity of injuries that may result from natural hazard events.

The virtual public information meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., October 17. The public is invited to submit comments and questions about hazard mitigation planning concerns.

The link to participate in the meeting can be found here: https://bartonandloguidice.zoom.us/j/81185357865

The meeting will also be livestreamed to YouTube: https://youtu.be/LvYKV9P14V8

For questions or assistance needs, please contact Noel Guttman at Guttman@chautcofire.org or 716-753-4341.