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With high-wind warning in effect, National Grid says its prepared and offers tips for customers

By Howard B. Owens

There is a high-wind warning in place for tomorrow from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are anticipated. The National Weather Service warns of hazardous driving conditions, downed trees and power lines.

National Grid also issued this statement:

Weather forecasts are calling for strong winds and potentially heavy rains across large portions of Upstate New York, and National Grid is preparing its storm response plans and urging customers to be safe and ready.

The company offers the following tips to help customers be prepared and stay safe:

  • If a power outage occurs, customers should call National Grid’s at 1-800-867-5222 to expedite restoration;
  • Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors. Before operating a generator, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors;
  • Never touch downed power lines; always assume they are carrying live electricity. Downed lines should be immediately reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or to your local emergency response organization;
  • Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642- 4272; (In a medical emergency, always dial 9-1-1.)
  • Keep a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home;
  • Please drive carefully and use caution when driving near any repair crews working to restore power;
  • Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.

National Grid also advises staying tuned to local media for important announcements from emergency officials about possible evacuations or other emergency procedures. In most areas, information on storm shelter locations is available by calling 211.

Photo: Snow fall outside of City Hall

By Howard B. Owens

As I walked out of Batavia City Hall tonight, the snow had just started falling.

The forecast is for periods of snow tonight and tomorrow. The total accumulation tonight is expected to be less than an inch.

Photos: March 2 snowstorm

By Howard B. Owens

This is what it looked like in Oakfield at about 1 a.m. The photo was submitted by Jackie Ferringer.

Email your storm photos to howard@thebatavian.com

Cancellations and closures for Friday, March 2

By Howard B. Owens

These are the closings and cancellations we've been notified about:

  • All courts in Genesee County are closed today
  • Batavia City Schools, including the Richmond Memorial Library
  • Oakfield-Alabama Schools
  • Genesee Community College
  • Alexander Central School
  • Byron-Bergen Central School (Tonight's musical is still scheduled)
  • Elba Central School
  • BOCES
  • Le Roy Central School
  • Notre Dame HS
  • Pavilion Central School
  • Pembroke Central School
  • St. Joe's
  • Bergen Town Clerk's office
  • Bonarigo & McCutcheon Law Office
  • UMMC's office of Pembroke Diagnostics
  • These UMMC offices are delayed opening until 10 a.m.: Bergen Family Medicine; Le Roy Internal Medicine; Tountas Family Care, Le Roy
  • Genesee Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA): Batavia location is OPEN but Albion location is closed today
  • Classic Optical in Batavia City Centre

Travel advisory in effect for Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office has issued a travel advisory for Genesee County.

No unnecessary travel is advised.

High winds is causing low visibility.

The travel advisory was issued at 3:15 a.m.

Photo: A big snowman

By Howard B. Owens

Before most of the snow melted, the Miller, Ivison, and Randall families got together to build a big snowman.

Mandy Miller is taking the selfie. Linsey Ivison on the left, holding Frank Morrison, Carter Morrison, Lacie Ivison, Natalie Randall, and Curt Randall.

Submitted photo.

Weather cancellations for Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

We've been notified of the following cancellations:

  • All after-school and evening activities in the Batavia City School District.

Please send notices to howard@thebatavian.com

Urgent winter weather message issued -- snow -- from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Thursday

By Billie Owens

An urgent winter weather message has been issued by the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

It was issued at 2:55 p.m. and will be in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, to 4 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.

Snow is expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Wednesday. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected.

Niagara, Orleans, Erie, Genesee and Chautauqua counties will be affected.

Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times.

Periods of snow will result in snow-covered roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.

Photo: A winter drive on East Road

By Howard B. Owens


I drove around a bit this afternoon with the explicit goal to take some landscape pictures of Genesee County in black and white. It turned out there really wasn't enough snow on the ground to get the look I was after, but I like this shot from East Road in Batavia.

Photo: Icicles on the Tonawanda

By Howard B. Owens

After stopping to see somebody about a possible story on South Main Street Road, I noticed several trees hanging over the Tonawanda Creek dripping with icicles.

Photos: Batavia after a foot of snow

By Howard B. Owens

A lot of Batavia residents were busy this morning clearing snow from their driveways and walkways, including Nate Baker on Ellicott Place, above, after a storm dropped about a foot of snow on the city.

Eric Haile on Summit Street.

Cliff Vagg on Ellicott Avenue.

The Tonawanda Creek is 8.64 feet and rising

By Howard B. Owens

The National Weather Service has warned of possible flooding as the Tonawanda Creek through Batavia nears the 9-foot level.

Currently, the water level, as measured at the bend behind the County Courthouse, is 8.64 feet.

It's been on a steep climb since 7 a.m.

It's expected to crest at 9.1 feet.

The minor flood stage is 9 feet.

Kibbe Park is expected to flood, and possibly Walnut Street and Law Street.  

There is flooding in Alexander and the Town of Batavia along the creek.

There is a flood warning in effect until 1 p.m.

Closings and cancellations for Friday and Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

We've been notified of the following closings and cancellations:

  • All evening activities for The Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans Counties;
  • All activities for Pavilion Central School for Friday and Saturday are canceled;
  • The Richmond Memorial Library will be closed Saturday;
  • A talk at the Holland Land Office Museum tonight and a panel discussion tomorrow with author David Fitzgerald has been rescheduled for March;
  • All events and activities are canceled for Batavia City Schools today and tomorrow;
  • GCASA is closed Saturday.

Send notifications of closings and cancellations to howard@thebatavian.com. Send your weather pictures to howard@thebatavian.com

Drivers should prepare for very slick roads this afternoon

By Howard B. Owens

Recent rain has washed away whatever salt remained on roadways and with temperatures dropping to below freezing this afternoon, the wet roadways are likely to ice over.

That's the warning of the National Weather Service and the same message from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens when we happened to speak last night about the coming storm.

The storm tonight and tomorrow will bring heavy, wet snow, making driving conditions difficult and very different from the drier snow of recent storms. Drivers need to slow down, Hens warned.

Temperatures will start dropping between 1 and 3 p.m. in Batavia, bringing freezing rain and sleet. Bridges and overpasses will likely freeze over first.

While plow trucks will be out spreading salt, drivers should use extra caution.

Areas of previous flooding could also freeze over.

The National Weather Services advises drivers to plan accordingly.

Between tonight and 4 p.m. tomorrow, from nine to 17 inches of snow is expected.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: Stegman Road in the Town of Batavia is closed due to high water.

Talks by Emory Upton book author rescheduled due to anticipated weather

By Howard B. Owens

A storm coming into the area tomorrow that promises high winds and a foot or more of snow has convinced organizers to reschedule a trip to Batavia that had been planned for this Friday and Satruday for author David Fitzpatrick. He lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., and was going to talk about his 2017 book "Emory Upton: Misunderstood Reformer." 

Fitzpatrick's presentation at the Holland Land Office Museum is rescheduled to 7 p.m., March 2. He will also participate in a panel discussion the following day at Genesee Community College. More details on the GCC discussion will be announced later.

Many people had reserved a seat for Fitzpatrick's talk at HLOM, said director Ryan Duffy. The room tomorrow night would have been at near capacity. 

Previously: New book corrects the record on Emory Upton's attitude toward the military and the Republic

Winter storm watch in effect Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, heavy snow, difficult travel predicted

By Billie Owens

An urgent winter weather message from the National Weather Service Office in Buffalo at 3:03 p.m.:

A winter storm watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

Heavy snow and mixed precipitation are possible. Travel will be very difficult to impossible.

Total snow accumulations of 8 to 14 inches and ice accumulations of a 10th of an inch are possible. Significant reductions in visibility are possible.

Begin needed preparations at home or with your vehicle. Travel may become difficult, so plan accordingly.

Cold weather closings announced for Friday

By Howard B. Owens

We have been notified of the following closings for tomorrow due to anticipated extreme cold:

  • Batavia City Schools 
  • Le Roy Central School District
  • Oakfield-Alabama Central School District
  • Pavilion Central School District
  • Notre Dame High School
  • Mental Health Association
  • Extended, night-lighted skate, sponsored by the Batavia Kiwanis Club, at DeWitt Recreation Area
  • St. Joe’s bingo
  • Genesee Christian Academy
  • Haxton Memorial Library
  • Genesee County Office for the Aging cancels home-delivered meals and congregate meal sites, but the office will be open for business.

Please send announcements about closings to howard@thebatavian.com.

Wind chill warning in effect this evening through 7 a.m. Sunday

By Billie Owens

There is a wind chill warning in effect starting at 8 o'clock tonight until 7 a.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service issued this urgent warning at 2:52 p.m.

Dangerously cold wind chills are expected. They are anticipated to range from 20 to 30 degrees below zero at times.

This can cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes to exposed skin. It is a potentially dangerous situation to be outdoors. If you must be outdoors be sure to cover all exposed skin.

There is also a hazardous weather outlook in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday.

Weather closings for Tuesday

By Howard B. Owens

Here are closings we have been notified about:

  • Mental Health Association is closing with no evening programs for tonight.

There is a weather advisory with 1 to 3 inches of snow predicted through 1 a.m. There is also wind and blowing snow in the county.

Send notifications of closing and postponements to howard@thebatavian.com. Watch this post for further updates. 

Send your weather pictures to howard@thebatavian.com.

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