Indian Falls at the Log Cabin Restaurant was a beautiful scene late this afternoon. Here is a short video and a photo.
Here are some photos from this afternoon taken along the Route 77 corridor of the western part of Genesee County, and on Route 5 and in Alabama and Oakfield.
Above, Darien Lakes State Park.
A home on Sumner Road, Darien.
East Pembroke
On Route 77, south of Gabby Road.
On Route 77, south of Gabby Road.
Judge Road, Alabama.
Bliss Road, Oakfield.
Lewiston Road, Oakfield.
Tonawanda Creek, behind the County Courthouse in Batavia.
Press release:
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Genesee County Highway Department and Emergency Management Services, has canceled the travel advisory for all of Genesee County as of 5 p.m., Jan. 31.
Motorists are encouraged to continue to drive with caution due to present blowing and drifting snow accumulation on roads and sub-zero wind chill temperatures.
Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger said the state of emergency has also been canceled.
We can confirm, there is a lot of blowing and drifting snow and low visbility at times on county grounds. Photos and video coming, hopefully later tonight.
A motor-vehicle accident is reported on Lewiston Road, Route 77, at Salt Works Road, Alabama.
A truck is jackknifed and the roadway is blocked. Traffic is being shutdown in both directions.
Alabama fire responding.
A winter storm warning and wind chill advisory remain in effect for Genesee County until 7 p.m., with the wind chill advisory in effect until 7 a.m., Friday.
Up to three inches of lake effect snow is possible today before 7 p.m.
A travel advisory and state of emergency remain in effect for Genesee County.
Two truck drivers were cited today in connection with a 21-vehicle pile-up on the Thruway in Le Roy yesterday that hospitalized a state trooper.
Trooper Dominique Wilson sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident, which occurred at 2 p.m. in the eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 382. Wilson remains hospitalized at Strong Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
Also injured were Michael L. Bushek, age 60, of Palmyra, and Edward F. Dejoy, age 55, of Hamburg. Both were treated and released at Strong.
Tractor-trailer drivers, Richard Magezi, 41, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Michael L. Lambert, 54, of Hartford, Conn., were ticketed for allegedly disobeying a traffic control device, speed not reasonable and prudent, following too closely, and driving across hazard markings.
The investigation revealed that 19 vehicles, including 16 passenger cars, one box truck and two tractor-trailers, were involved in the crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a tractor-trailer traveling eastbound lost control, jackknifed, and struck the rear of a Trooper Wilson’s troop car, pushing it out into the roadway where the patrol vehicle was then sideswiped by a second tractor-trailer.
There was a ban on tractor-trailer traffic on the Thruway at the time of the accident due to the winter storm passing through the area.
Le Roy fire, with Le Roy taking command, along Town of Batavia fire, and Bergen fire, and six ambulances from Genesee, Monroe and Livingston counties responded to the accident, which left the Thruway closed for several hours.
Top photo: submitted by a reader.
A car has struck a utility pole at Colby Road and Route 20, Darien.
There are no injuries but the pole and wires are down in the roadway.
Darien fire dispatched.
UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: Alexander fire police are going to shutdown traffic at Route 238.
UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: Truck traffic is being diverted onto Colby Road to Route 77. The pole will need to be replaced. It's supporting service to the house at that location.
UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: Roadway reopened. All Darien units back in service.
A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported on Bank Street Road near Cockram Road, Byron.
No word on injuries.
Byron fire and South Byron fire dispatched.
UPDATE 11:51 a.m.: Road conditions are not good, according to a first responder. Elba fire requeted to the scene to assist.
UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: The vehicle is off the road. All responding units from Byron and South Byron are parked at the side of the road. The road is not blocked. Elba can stand down. Mercy EMS on scene.
Press release:
With the arrival of frigid temperatures and a number of structure fires across the State recently resulting from homeowners utilizing open flames to thaw frozen pipes, City of Batavia Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano reminds all City residents to be mindful and take the following precautions.
OPEN FAUCETS
Prior to thawing a frozen pipe, open any faucet connected to the frozen pipe. Opening faucets with frozen pipes is important for two reasons. Frozen pipes will most likely burst from built-up pressure and not from the expanding ice. The opening of a faucet can relieve the pressure. Secondly, upon thawing frozen pipes, steam will be generated and can lead to increasing pressure and bursting if it is unable to escape out of the open faucet.DO NOT USE OPEN FLAMES
Under no circumstances do not use open flames in any attempt to thaw pipes. The use of matches, a blowtorch or any other method with an open flame will compound the situation rather than solve it.
UTILIZE A GFCI OUTLET
Depending upon the thawing method used, please ensure that any device such as a hair dryer, heat gun or heat tape is connected to a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. These outlets automatically monitor the current and are designed to protect people from electrical shock. The occurrence of electrocution is more significant during thawing situations due to the tools being electrical in nature and operating near potential water sources.
Chief Napolitano states that following these precautions and enlisting the services of a plumbing expert will safeguard your family and home from the devastation of a fire. He also offers all City residents to contact the City of Batavia Fire Department with any questions they may have regarding the safe thawing frozen pipes.
The phone number for City Fire Headquarters is 585-345-6375.
A chimney fire that is said to be contained, though flames are showing, is reported at 6516 Keller Road, Pavilion.
The location is between Roanoke Road and Transit Road.
The family cannot evacuate because of an elderly resident.
Pavilion fire along with Le Roy and Stafford dispatched.
UPDATE 10:27 a.m.: The homeowner told a first responder he believes the fire burned itself out. Responders warned about road conditions.
UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: Working fire in stove pipe. It's contained to the pipe. The family being assisted with evacuation.
UPDATE 10:32 a.m.: No smoke in the residence.
While a travel ban related to yesterday's blizzard-like conditions was lifted last night, this morning a travel advisory remains in effect and is expected to remain in place until 7 p.m.
A winter storm warning is in place until 7 p.m. though the current forecast doesn't show much snow for Batavia today. That, of course, could change.
The photo above from a reader is of a truck rollover accident at Lewiston and South Main in Oakfield that occured around 10:30 p.m. The road is still closed but should reopen soon. The truck was carrying 80,000 pounds of blueberries. Complicating the effort to get it up right were the powerlines overhead. National Grid installed a new utility pole at that location overnight.
Updates on closings (for our prior post on closings, click here):
Send closings and cancelations to howard@thebataivan.com.
UPDATE 9:01 a.m.: We just spoke with Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator. He said the forecasters with the National Weather Service say they expect a lake effect snow band that is currently south of Genesee County to shift north sometime this morning. The band should stay south of the Thruway. This could mean more snow and wind for Batavia, and if the shift does occur, certainly for the southwestern part of the county. He said, "they used words like two-thirds of the county" could be hit by the band. "It's sunny now but we don't want anybody to get lulled into the idea that the storm is past," Yaeger said. The travel advisory and state of emergency remain in effect. He said county officials will reevaluate the situtation around noon.
UPDATE 9:35 p.m.: There's a report of drivers stuck at the Flying J getting agitated. Drivers are reportedly yelling at each other.
Press release:
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Genesee County Highway Department and Emergency Management Services, has issued a travel advisory for all of Genesee County. Motorists are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary travel due to the significant accumulation of snow combined with strong winds and sub-zero wind chill temperatures and zero visibility at times.
Advisory is in effect from 9 p.m., Jan. 30, until further notice.
Sheriff Sheron reminds motorists that dark traffic signals that are not working are to be treated as a four-way stop.
Twenty-one vehicles, including a State Police patrol vehicle, were involved in an accident that shutdown the Thruway through Le Roy this afternoon.
Injuries were reported but no details have been released.
Several people involved in the accident were transported by van to the Ontario Service Center where they were evaluated by Mercy medics and interviewed by Troopers.
Le Roy Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, with assistance from Caledonia and Monroe County, responded to the scene.
Top three photos released by State Police. Bottom two photos courtesy a reader. If you have photos to share of the accident, send them to howard@thebatavian.com
UPDATE: Reader submitted photo added below.
This video was shot around the one o'clock hour.
App Users: Click here to view the video on TheBatavian.com.
In order to enact a travel ban today, Bob Bausch, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature, signed a letter at 2 p.m. today declaring a state of emergency and that state of emergency is expected to be in place through tomorrow.
The travel ban could be lifted this evening, though, said Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator.
"It was busy," Yaeger said. "It came in fairly quickly around noonish and started hitting very quickly. It has started to subside a little bit. Now, it's quieted down quite a bit. We're expecting the lake effect to move south but then reenter back into Genesee County tomorrow during the day."
Besides enabling the sheriff to declare a state of emergency, it gives county officials additional power, though Yaeger said there's no plans to, say, impose a curfew or ban alcohol sales. The county has also not used the state of emergency to ask for assistance from other counties or the state.
"We're continuing to monitor it at the point that we checked with our highway department superintendent and he's checking with the municipalities," Yaeger said. "But because the amount of snow at this point is manageable, we're going to continue to manage that. But that option is always open but at this point (no assistance) is needed."
Even as the snowfall slows down, the county remains on a ready footing. Each county fire department has personnel at their fire halls, City fire has extra personnel on duty, and the local law enforcement agencies have extra officers on patrol.
The Emergency Management Center is operating as a command center but Yaeger said it is at a "level 3" standard of operation.
"We are open and active and we're monitoring the weather and monitoring phone calls that are coming in the different situations so we have good situational awareness of what's going on in the county, so we can react to any of needs that may come up," Yaeger said.
The travel ban serves two primary purposes, Yaeger explained. It helps keep the public safe but it also helps keep first responders safe.
"The weather is our concern with the public out there," Yaeger said, "then the first responders trying to do their their work, to respond to emergencies, first to gain access there and then to be in these elements is extremely dangerous."
In this weather, it's especially important for first responders to get to stranded motorists quickly and safely.
"Because of the extreme cold you cannot be in those elements, or be in a vehicle and not be able to move and not have heat in your car," Yaeger said. "It is not safe at any point."
A reader from Byron shared this photo and the photo immediately below.
If you have a photo to share, send it to howard@thebatavian.com. You can also try to send video or upload your video to YouTube and we can share it.
Andrea Brown said she took this photo about 12:30 p.m. on Route 77. "I was stuck along with other drivers for almost three hours until we all braved it to get home. I live in Attica so after I got past this, I sat in a gas station driveway along with a few others for another hour then finally made it home, getting here at about 4 p.m."
Photos in Batavia from about the one o'clock hour.
Top photo, Batavia Downs.
Main and Ellicott
Jackson Street
Parking lot at the courthouse.
Ellicott Avenue
Tonawanda Creek off of West Main Street.
Centennial Park.
Centennial Park.
Genesee Community College
State and North
State Vets Home
All county fire crews requested to assemble in their fire halls and notify dispatched when assembled.
There is an accident with injuries at East Road and Route 20. Bethany Fire on scene.
Le Roy Fire and Town of Batavia Fire working a multi-vehicle accident on the Thruway (Updates will continue on the original post).
Darien Fire and the Sheriff's Office is continuing to work an accident on Route 20 that is tying up traffic.
UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the Thruway at Batavia. Expect an influx of traffic into Batavia.
UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: The Sheriff is issuing a travel ban. A news release coming shortly.
UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Photos of dispatch center added.
UPDATE 2:46 p.m.: A tractor-trailer accident is reported at 6319 Main Road, Stafford. Powerlines are down. The road is blocked. An ambulance is requested to the scene. Stafford Fire dispatched.
UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: There are multiple reports of vehicles off the road at various locations. A trooper just informed dispatch he's going to a location on East Saile to check on an elderly couple.
UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Travel ban release:
Effective immediately, a travel ban for Genesee County has been issued and will stay in effect until further notice. Blowing and drifting snow have created poor visibility and unsafe/hazardous traveling conditions for motorists.
A travel ban means no travel for anyone except emergency vehicles which includes police, ambulance, snow plows, etc.
Sheriff William Sheron stated, “For your safety, and the safety of the residents of Genesee County, please stay home or where you are until conditions improve.”
UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: For the latest closures, click here. Email closure announcements to howard@thebatavian.com.
UPDATE 3:13 p.m.: All Genesee County fire halls now fully staffed.
UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: From the National Weather Service:
At 3:56 p.m. EST, two bands of lake effect snow are producing snowfall rates
of up to 2 inches per hour along with visibilities near zero.
Temperatures are below zero with wind chills near -25 degrees below zero....THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...
Blinding snow and whiteout conditions are occurring. A casual drive or
trip outside can quickly lead to a life-threatening situation without
proper winter gear. Please heed all travel bans.
UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: Weather photos post. Click here. (Also, if you have photos or video to share, email howard@thebatavian.com)
UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: Motor-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, Route 77 near McAlpine. Alabama fire dispatched and Mercy EMS. Also, Stafford just cleared its accident.
UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: An Indian Falls chief is on scene of the McAlpine accident. No injuries. Whiteout conditions.
UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: A blizzard warning is in effect until 1 a.m.:
Dangerously cold wind chills and blizzard conditions. Heavy lake effect snow expected. Wind chills as low as 25 below zero. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Winds gusting as high as 35 m.p.h.
UPDATE 7:57 p.m.: A state of emergency was declared for Genesee County at 2 p.m. Read about it in this story. Also, the Thruway has removed in both directions. A travel ban remains in effect but could be lifted this evening.
UPDATE 8:06 p.m.: Click here to view a video from the storm taken this afternoon.
UPDATE 8:09 p.m.: A rollover accident is reported at 5969 Ellicott Street Road, near Paul Road. Bethany Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Minor if any injuries.
A multiple-vehicle accident is reported on the Thruway in Le Roy.
Le Roy Fire responding. Mutual aid requested from Town of Batavia.
A Le Roy chief asks a driver to bring a van in case shelter is needed for multiple people.
Two additional ambulances requested to the scene in case of multiple injuries.
UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Caledonia requested to the scene.
UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: At least 15 vehicles involved, including tractor trailers. There are multiple injuries, including a truck driver with a head injury.
UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: At least six ambulances are required to the scene. Bergen requested to the scene.
UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the Thruway at Batavia. Expect an influx of traffic into Batavia.
UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: A chief on scene wants to know ETA for an advanced life support ambulance. It is two or three minutes. The chief has given the ambulance driver instructions on how to get to the victims, who are at the front of the accident. "Don't worry. We'll make it happen," the driver tells the chief.
UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: Thruway being closed at Le Roy.
UPDATE 2:46 p.m.: A Caledonia crew requested to Le Roy fire hall to fill in.
UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: People involved in the accident who were not injured are being taken to the service center, where they can be kept warm and rest. Troopers will complete interviews with them there.
UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Monroe County ambulances are being released from the scene.
UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: Multiple tractor-trailers can't up it up the hill on Route 20 east of Molasses Hill Road.
UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: The officer on scene wants to know if the hill can be salted. A snow plow is in route. "I've got trucks backed up as far as the eye can see down 20," the officer says.
UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: State Police, Troop T, are reporting 21 vehicles involved.
UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: A chief reports, "everyone is on the bus and the bus is on its way to the Ontario Service Center."
UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: All emergency units back in service. The Thruway is still being cleared of vehicles involved in the accident.
Press release:
The following information includes the changes to the political calendar that will affect candidates who wish to run for public office beginning this year. It also gives a summary of early voting. It is the Board of Elections' objective to give as much information to Genesee County residents so that implementing the new election laws will be as transparent and as seamless as possible.
- Primary Election -- The primary election has been changed from mid-September to June 25, 2019. Going forward, the unified Primary date will now fall on the 4th Tuesday in June unless otherwise changed by the state legislature.
- Petitions and Ballot Access -- The first day for signing designating petitions for public office is now Feb. 26, 2019, and the dates for filing petitions is April 1 – 4. These petition dates apply for the following designated Party lines based on the last Gubernatorial race; Democratic Party, Republican Party, Conservative Party, Working Families Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Independence Party and SAM Party.
- Caucus Ballot Access -- For political Parties who are designated as a "caucus town" their nominating process will follow these dates -- the first day to hold a town caucus is Feb. 26 and the last to file certificates of nominations is July 25th.
- Independent Petitions -- First day for signing Independent petitions is April 16, 2019. Dates for filing Independent petitions is May 21- 28.
- Early Voting -- Early voting will be applicable for this year’s general election (Nov. 5, 2019) but not the primary election on June 25, 2019. In subsequent years early voting will be applicable for the primary election. The new law states that each county will provide, beginning on the 10th day prior to the general election and ending on and including the second day prior to the election, early voting at a polling location(s) to be determined by the County Board of Elections. This will include 9 days of early voting, five 8-hour weekdays which will include twoevening hours, and two 5-hour weekends ending the Sunday prior to the election. When these polling locations are determined they will be publicized in local media and on our website.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
