Snow Slams North Country As Lake-Effect Continues
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Story Published: Nov 18, 2014 at 6:33 PM EST
Story Updated: Nov 19, 2014 at 5:14 AM EST
A very intense early lake-effect snow system was wreaking havoc in parts of the north country Tuesday.
Lake-effect snow warnings continue in Jefferson and Lewis counties until 3 p.m. Wednesday and until 7 a.m. Wednesday in southern St. Lawrence County.
Governor Cuomo declared states of emergency for hard-hit counties across upstate Tuesday night, including Jefferson and Lewis counties. St. Lawrence County was not included, despite the southern part of the county being snowed under Tuesday morning and afternoon.
In the most persistent areas, Lewis and Jefferson counties could see 6 to 12 inches of snow Tuesday afternoon, 2 feet or more overnight and 8 to 17 inches Wednesday. St. Lawrence County could get another 4 to 6 inches by Tuesday night, with only a 50 percent chance of snow overnight into Wednesday.
It will be cold and windy, with afternoon highs in the mid-20s to around 30 and overnight lows ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-20s.
A travel advisory was issued late Tuesday morning for all of Jefferson County and officials in St. Lawrence County are recommending emergency travel only in the hard-hit areas.
In particular, Route 812 from Route 3 to the village of Gouverneur was closed for hours because many cars were off the road. County and local plows suspended work in southern St. Lawrence County because of the number of abandoned vehicles.
In the village of Philadelphia Tuesday afternoon, a tractor trailer became disabled due to the snow and blocked traffic on Route 11. Traffic was backed up as far as the eye could see.
Many people were taking refuge at the Philadelphia Stewarts Shop.
Some said that was as far as they wanted to go.
"I went to bed last night, there was no snow on the ground," Howard Robinson said. "Woke up this morning, there was at least two feet of snow."
"This is absurd," Anthony Kwarteng said, "I've never see anything like this before."
"It's taken us 20 minutes to get here," Justin Manning said, "a quarter-mile down the road."
In Chaumont, the few people who were out and about could be found at a gas station.
Some were there to get gas, while others were there to take a break from white-knuckle driving.
"You can't see the roads - total whiteout. Just came out of a ditch," said Sally Siesto.
"It took me quite a while to get here, had to be very careful," said John Tocornal.
Philadelphia Fire Hall is opening a shelter for travelers halted by the storm.
Tools
Story Published: Nov 18, 2014 at 6:33 PM EST
Story Updated: Nov 19, 2014 at 5:14 AM EST
A very intense early lake-effect snow system was wreaking havoc in parts of the north country Tuesday.
Lake-effect snow warnings continue in Jefferson and Lewis counties until 3 p.m. Wednesday and until 7 a.m. Wednesday in southern St. Lawrence County.
Governor Cuomo declared states of emergency for hard-hit counties across upstate Tuesday night, including Jefferson and Lewis counties. St. Lawrence County was not included, despite the southern part of the county being snowed under Tuesday morning and afternoon.
In the most persistent areas, Lewis and Jefferson counties could see 6 to 12 inches of snow Tuesday afternoon, 2 feet or more overnight and 8 to 17 inches Wednesday. St. Lawrence County could get another 4 to 6 inches by Tuesday night, with only a 50 percent chance of snow overnight into Wednesday.
It will be cold and windy, with afternoon highs in the mid-20s to around 30 and overnight lows ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-20s.
A travel advisory was issued late Tuesday morning for all of Jefferson County and officials in St. Lawrence County are recommending emergency travel only in the hard-hit areas.
In particular, Route 812 from Route 3 to the village of Gouverneur was closed for hours because many cars were off the road. County and local plows suspended work in southern St. Lawrence County because of the number of abandoned vehicles.
Many people were taking refuge at the Philadelphia Stewarts Shop.
Some said that was as far as they wanted to go.
"I went to bed last night, there was no snow on the ground," Howard Robinson said. "Woke up this morning, there was at least two feet of snow."
"This is absurd," Anthony Kwarteng said, "I've never see anything like this before."
"It's taken us 20 minutes to get here," Justin Manning said, "a quarter-mile down the road."
In Chaumont, the few people who were out and about could be found at a gas station.
Some were there to get gas, while others were there to take a break from white-knuckle driving.
"You can't see the roads - total whiteout. Just came out of a ditch," said Sally Siesto.
"It took me quite a while to get here, had to be very careful," said John Tocornal.
Philadelphia Fire Hall is opening a shelter for travelers halted by the storm.
