watertown ny travel ban

Blizzard warning, travel advisory issued in Watertown area for snow, high winds

• Published: Dec. 23, 2022, 6:31 a.m.

In this 2017 file photo, a snow plow clears a road in the Watertown area hit with lake effect blast of winter weather. SYR

• Glenn Coin | [email protected]

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office has issued a no unnecessary travel advisory through at least the afternoon of Christmas Day because of high winds and heavy snow.

“Whiteout conditions are expected,” the sheriff’s office said .

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the county, including the city of Watertown, through 1 p.m. Christmas Day. The weather service said 2 to 4 feet of lake effect snow could fall amid winds gusting up to 60 mph.

“Travel will be extremely difficult to impossible,” the weather service said. “Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.”

The sheriff’s office said the travel advisory will be in effect for the duration of the blizzard warning.

Temperatures are expected to plummet this morning, coating roads with ice before blizzard conditions develop, the sheriff’s office said.

A state of emergency has been declared for the state of New York, including banning commercial vehicles on a 135-mile stretch of the Thruway, according to the governor’s office.

Commercial vehicles will be banned from the Thruway between Exit 46 (Rochester, Interstate 390) and the Pennsylvania border starting at 6 a.m. today, officials said. A “soft ban” of commercial vehicles will be in place on western highways and interstates, officials said.

Trucks will be forced to use the right lane only on Interstate 81 from Exit 32 (Central Square) to Exit 51 (Alexandria Bay) starting at noon today, officials said.

A blizzard warning is also in effect for the Buffalo area, with wind gusts up to 70 mph and 3 feet of snow possible through Christmas morning.

Little snow is expected in Central New York, but rapidly falling temperatures late this morning cause icy roads. A travel advisory is in effect for Onondaga County through 7 a.m. Saturday.

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Heavy Lake Effect Snow North of Watertown

W ATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) -The lake effect snow is here, and as of 9am, it has set up north of Watertown, running along communities near the St. Lawrence River.

Many churches in the area have canceled services Sunday. Email your cancelation to [email protected]

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has a Travel Advisory in effect.

Travelers are asked to use caution when driving and to be prepared for poor visibility and rapidly changing conditions.

Travel restrictions at the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority have been lifted. Strong winds on Saturday prompted bridge officials to restrict all high-profile commercial vehicles less than 60,000 lbs. in gross vehicle weight, recreational vehicles (RVs), buses, enclosed empty trailers, and other high-profile vehicles until wind speeds reduce at the Thousand Islands Bridge Crossings. Again, this has been lifted as of Sunday morning.

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Jefferson County: Travel ban lifted; no unnecessary travel advisory issued

As of 5:30 a.m. 12/26/22, the  Travel Ban  in Jefferson County has been lifted. Blowing and drifting snow and high snowbanks will continue to impede visibility, and ongoing cleanup & recovery efforts will create additional hazards to motorists. As such, we are now under a  No Unnecessary Travel  advisory for all of Jefferson County.

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No unnecessary travel advisory issued for Jefferson County

by: Isabella Colello

Posted: Nov 17, 2022 / 11:57 AM EST

Updated: Nov 18, 2022 / 08:24 AM EST

JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. (WWTI) — A no-unnecessary travel advisory has been issued for Jefferson County, according to a press release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

This advisory was issued ahead of the impending lake effect snowstorm expected to hit the county early Friday morning.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, whiteout conditions are expected with this storm, creating “impossible” travel conditions. Due to its nature, lake-effect snow can create rapidly changing road conditions and reduced visibility.

The no unnecessary travel advisory will take effect for all of Jefferson County at 12 a.m. on Friday, November 12. The Sheriff’s Office said that motorists should adjust travel plans accordingly.

The advisory will remain in effect for the duration of the lake effect snow warning issued by the National Weather Service.

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Travel limited on NYS Thruway, I-81 due to winter storm; Hochul declares state of emergency

• Updated: Nov. 17, 2022, 6:19 p.m. |
• Published: Nov. 17, 2022, 7:15 a.m.

Tractor trailers use the NYS Thruway in Montezuma during a winter storm in this 2015 file photo.

• Geoff Herbert | [email protected]

Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as the New York State Department of Transportation is limiting travel on some Upstate New York highways due to the winter storm Thursday.

Up to 3 feet of snow is possible in the Buffalo area and up 2 feet could fall around Watertown with snowfall rates of three inches per hour, Hochul’s office said . Hazardous travel conditions and local power outages are likely due to the combination of snow, ice and wind in the forecast.

“Parts of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York and the North Country are about to get their first snowstorm of the season, which means we need everyone in these impacted regions to be ready for dangerous travel conditions,” Hochul said. “My team and I are deploying emergency response assets ahead of the storm, remain in constant contact with local officials, and are laser focused on the forecast. New Yorkers should remain vigilant ahead of the storm and avoid any unnecessary travel during these hazardous conditions.”

The governor also urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel in the Buffalo and Watertown areas starting Thursday evening through Friday. The New York State Thruway will be closed to commercial traffic in both directions from exit 46 (Rochester - Corning - I-390) to the Pennsylvania border starting Thursday at 4 p.m.

“Heavy, drifting snow with significant accumulations is expected,” New York State Police warned.

The NYS DOT also implemented a full commercial vehicle ban at the following locations beginning Thursday at 4 p.m.:

• Interstate 190 - Route 62 to I-90
• Interstate 290 - full length
• Interstate 990 - full length
• Route 33 - full length
• Route 219 - Route 39 to I-90
• Route 400 - full length
• Buffalo Skyway Route 5 - full length
• I-81 - Exit 33 to Canadian border - trucks use right lane only

Lake Effect Snow Warning and Winter Storm Watches are in effect through Sunday evening for several counties in the Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York and North Country regions. Traffic and travel conditions will be available by calling 511, visiting 511NY.org or on the free 511NY mobile app.

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Watertown, NY (13601)

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Mostly clear. Low 48F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Updated: June 27, 2024 @ 4:20 am

• Full Forecast

Route 12 and parts of routes 37 and 68 were closed in St. Lawrence County due to blowing snow and poor visibility during the blizzard of 2022 over Christmas weekend. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and state police responded to multiple crashes and stranded motorists. Courtesy of the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

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Christmas decorations are buried in snow Monday afternoon in Watertown’s Public Square. Alex Gault/Watertown Daily Times

Route 12 and parts of routes 37 and 68 were closed Saturday in St. Lawrence County and a travel ban was issued. Photo courtesy of the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

An eastern gray squirrel that had been gathering nuts in front of the Jefferson County Historical Society dives for shelter Friday morning as a winter storm blew into Northern New York. Alec Johnson/Watertown Daily Times

Route 26 in Champion was in and out of whiteout conditions Saturday. Julie Abbass/Watertown Daily Times

Washington Street in Watertown during the last blizzard. More winter weather is forecasted to begin tonight and continue through Thursday. Alec Johnson/ Watertown Daily Times

Early Friday morning, winds blew down sections of a house under construction on Hillside Drive, town on Watertown. Chris Brock/ Watertown Daily Times

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office used UTVs to locate and assist stranded motorists. Photo courtesy of the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Travel bans lifted, but driving conditions still hazardous

• Times staff report
• Dec 26, 2022
• Dec 26, 2022 Updated Dec 26, 2022

WATERTOWN — The travel bans in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties have all been lifted, even as driving conditions in the north country remain treacherous due to the winter storm.

Did the snowstorm affect your work schedule?

Jefferson County lifted its travel ban on Monday morning, announced in an email from the county sheriff’s office. A “no unnecessary travel” advisory was issued in place of the outright ban.

“Blowing and drifting snow and high snowbanks will continue to impede visibility, and ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts will create additional hazards to motorists,” the release said.

St. Lawrence County allowed its travel ban for Waddington, Madrid, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, DePeyster, Macomb, Hammond and Rossie to expire at noon on Christmas Day, also issuing a “no unnecessary travel” advisory that expired at 8 p.m. Sunday. The Lewis County travel ban was lifted the morning of Christmas Eve.

Conditions Monday were clearer than the weekend for most of the north country. But in the city of Watertown, the snow kept coming Monday morning, adding a few more inches to the already feet-high drifts and poles.

Jefferson County’s fire and emergency management director Joseph D. Plummer said the snow Monday was focused mainly in Watertown and northern Jefferson County, with a band moving north, through Watertown, Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Gouverneur, across the St. Lawrence River and into southern Ontario. Southern Jefferson County and Lewis County saw very little snow Monday.

Mr. Plummer said cleanup operations have started across Jefferson County, and things are moving smoothly as ever.

“Road crews are out there getting stuff done, getting their thing done there,” he said. “Obviously people are out doing their own cleanups too, and we recommend caution there.”

Mr. Plummer said snow shoveling can be a very physically demanding job, especially with the volume of snow on the ground after this storm. He said older folks, those with medical conditions and even healthy people should be very aware of how they are feeling while shoveling, and take extra steps to keep warm in the below-freezing temperatures.

He said there have been no fatalities in Jefferson County that he is aware of as of Monday morning.

The cleanup, while a significant undertaking, isn’t unfamiliar to the north country in the slightest, he said, and the infrastructure in place to clear roads and protect property was moving forward as expected. State Department of Transportation trucks were assisting county, town and city highway crews throughout the weekend.

The sudden onset of the storm Friday, with conditions literally worsening by the second around midday, meant many motorists were trapped on county roads. Mr. Plummer said he couldn’t even guess how many people had been stranded on the roads over the weekend, but law enforcement and emergency services were working hard throughout the weekend to get to those people and make them safe.

“The 911 center has been extremely busy through this,” he said. “Each day we’ve had over 500 complaints logged in the system. That’s everything we deal with throughout the whole day, the majority being storm-related. To put that into perspective, a typical day for us is somewhere around 220 to 250 complaints total.”

Mr. Plummer said it’s difficult to compare one storm to another, especially over time as technology has changed significantly. Some people have hearkened back to the historic 1977 Blizzard as this storm hit blizzard levels with wind speeds and snowfall.

“Frankly, we’re better prepared now than ever before because we have better technology telling us when it’s going to snow, estimated amounts, winds, all that,” he said.

Mr. Plummer said the cleanup will continue, and crews are on hand for the remaining snow forecasted to hit Watertown Monday night.

“The dedication of our first responders, including our 911 dispatchers, should be recognized by everyone,” he said. “Those folks left their homes as well, to come in and answer calls and dispatch people and keep the chaos as under control as possible. They’re always kind of the unsung heroes, because nobody sees them. That’s not taking away from fire, law enforcement and EMS out there battling the storm directly, but those first responders can’t go anywhere without a dispatcher.”

Johnson Newspapers 7.1

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A busy weekend ahead in Watertown

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - Not one but two block parties will be held this Friday in Watertown.

The 7th Annual Downtown Block Party on Public Square will feature food, music and a car show.

“We got something for everybody whether we are talking about the music, whether we are talking about the vendors, or we are talking about the kid zone. There is just something for all ages,” said Quince Myrick, block party promoter.

There will also be a dunk tank that will raise money for local organizations.

“With the help of actually our own mayor and some of the city council members who are going to be sitting up in that dunk tank themselves, and anybody wants to take a shot, well, give it what you got,” said Myrick.

Also on Friday, the first annual block party at Ives Hill Country Club. This party is also open to the entire community. Besides food and drinks, it will feature an adult and junior golf tournament.

“We are going to have a large fireworks show at the very end of it. We will have bouncy houses. We are going to be setting up a grill with hot dogs and hamburgers at the parking lot, and we will also move some of our bars outside into the parking lot,” said executive chef Ryan Libby.

The Ives Hill party will kick off at 1 p.m. while the Downtown Block Party will start at 5 p.m.

Copyright 2024 WWNY. All rights reserved.

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