All articles tagged with #western new york
The National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes in Genesee, Orleans, and Niagara counties following severe storms on Wednesday. Cleanup efforts are ongoing as utilities work to restore power to thousands of affected customers.
Severe storms on Wednesday caused tornadoes, flooding, and widespread power outages across Western New York and the Finger Lakes. The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes in Seneca, Niagara, Genesee, and Orleans counties. Cleanup efforts are underway, with most power restored but significant damage reported in Webster and Shelby.
Severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings struck Western and Central New York on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Over 78,000 customers lost power, with 16,000 still offline by 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Tornado warnings expired for several counties, and a flash flood warning ended in Orleans County. Cleanup efforts are ongoing.
Severe storms swept through Western New York on Wednesday night, causing widespread power outages, downed trees, and potential tornadoes. The National Weather Service is surveying damage in Orleans and Genesee counties to confirm tornado activity, while utility crews work to restore power to over 10,000 customers.
Severe storms swept through Western New York on Wednesday evening, triggering tornado warnings across multiple counties. The weather caused widespread power outages, downed trees, and flooding, with the most significant damage reported in Orleans County.
Residents in western New York are pressing Gov. Hochul for an in-person meeting and stronger action as a joint state-federal investigation finds radiological waste in backyards and homes. Testing has accelerated, with more than 1,000 property access forms submitted and 726 properties screened; about 220 properties remain under review and roughly 30 referred for additional EPA screening. A few families have been offered temporary relocation, and Hochul has urged faster action from federal authorities, while critics say leadership and a clear cleanup plan are still needed.
The New York Lottery says a $1 million Powerball ticket was sold in Western New York, at a Buffalo-area 7-Eleven on Niagara Falls Boulevard; the February 23 drawing also produced a second-prize ticket, and the $218+ million jackpot remains unclaimed.
A Winter Weather Advisory covers all of Western New York through 7 a.m. Thursday with 2–5 inches of snow expected, gusts up to 35 mph, and blowing snow that could make travel slippery; periods of snow continue into the Thursday morning commute, with additional lake-effect bands possible late Thursday into Friday. Arctic air arrives Friday into Saturday, bringing highs in the low teens and wind chills near 20 below zero; a Weather Impact Alert is in effect for the dangerous cold. The advisory also extends to northern Pennsylvania counties McKean and Potter until 10 a.m. Tuesday.
GameStop lists 471 stores as closed with no reopening date, including Western New York locations such as Buffalo University Plaza, Depew, Lockport, Rochester Eastridge, Victor Crossing and Webster; the company had told the SEC it would close a significant number of stores in fiscal 2025, following 590 closures in the prior year, with no official closure list released yet.
Erie County will issue a travel advisory from 10 p.m. Sunday as Western New York braces for a long-duration winter storm expected to bring heavy snow (10–20 inches in the heaviest bands) and dangerous cold with wind chills 10 to 20 below zero, making travel difficult Monday into Tuesday; officials have prepared extensive plowing resources and salt, with MLK Day closures helping snow removal and trash collection continuing as scheduled.
Storm Team 2 has issued a Weather Impact Alert for Monday and Tuesday as arctic air brings heavy lake-effect snow to Western New York, with very cold wind chills (down to 10–20 below zero), travel disruptions and possible school delays. A Winter Storm Watch covers multiple counties, with forecasts of over half a foot of snow in the heaviest bands; exact location of the heaviest snow bands could change in the coming days.
Strong winds with gusts up to 70 mph are impacting Western New York, causing power outages, followed by lake effect snow that could accumulate 4-8 inches in some areas, leading to travel issues and blowing snow through midweek.
High winds accompanied Lake Effect Snow across Western New York, with the National Weather Service reporting gusts up to 56 mph in Buffalo. Other notable wind speeds included 55 mph in Hamburg and Niagara Falls Airport, and 52 mph at Dunkirk Airport. The region continues to experience significant weather conditions as snow warnings remain in effect.
Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in several Western New York counties, including Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Wyoming, due to severe lake-effect snow expected to bring over two feet of accumulation and wind gusts up to 45 mph. Travel bans and road closures have been implemented in affected areas, with specific restrictions on highways and for certain vehicles. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed through emergency alerts.
Western New York experienced significant lake-effect snowfall over the weekend, leading to a state of emergency declared by Governor Kathy Hochul for several counties, including Erie, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus. Snowfall totals reached up to 37.7 inches in some areas, prompting travel bans and advisories. While driving bans in Erie County were lifted, a travel advisory remains in effect for many parts. The lake-effect snow warning continues until Monday evening for certain counties.