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Update: Some travel ban lifted in Erie County, caution urged in Niagara County

Jan. 14—The travel ban for passenger and commercial vehicles in Erie County has been lifted in Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst, Clarence and Newstead.

Central Erie County and many Southtowns will remain under a full travel ban until further notice, and the Thruway remains closed to commercial traffic between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania State Line. Drivers are advised to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel.

There are no travel restrictions in Niagara County, with emergency officials urging drivers to use caution. "There are places in the county that got very little snow but others that got quite a bit. Plows from the various agencies are out trying to clean up what we have seen so far," a message from the Niagara County Emergency Services Facebook read late Sunday morning.

New Yorkers in Western New York are being urged to stay home throughout the duration of the storm. Travel in impacted areas could be dangerous at times throughout the evening due to blizzard-like conditions.

"Our crews have been working around the clock to keep the roads clear and New Yorkers safe, and I am grateful that the vast majority of New Yorkers heeded our ban and stayed off the road," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "As conditions are improving int eh north towns we are lifting the travel ban there, but if you do not have to travel today, stay home and let our crews continue to work. If you are in central Erie County and much of the Southtowns, continue to stay home."

Currently, there are 25,569 outages statewide, including 18,518 outages in the Mid-Hudson region, 90 in Western New York and 42 in the North Country. Utility crews have kept up with the level of power outages incurred to date, and remain on standby to restore any additional power outages if and when they occur.

The travel ban was lifted Sunday morning in the Towns of Collins, North Collins, Concord, Sardinia, Colden and Holland, as well as in the Villages of North Collins and Springville.

Heavy lake effect snow will continue off the eastern shores of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario throughout Sunday, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches possible, as well as thundersnow in the heaviest parts of the bands. Winds will begin out of the southwest Sunday morning gusting at 35-40 mph and will increase to 40-50 mph this afternoon.

Tonight, snowfall rates are expected to remain at 2 to3 inches per hour in the heaviest bands, but wind gusts will diminish to 30 mph. In Western New York, the band is expected to oscillate near or just south of Buffalo for most of the night, while in the North Country, the band is expected to oscillate between the central Tug Hill plateau and Watertown. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov .

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Travel ban lifted in Erie County as road conditions improve, warmer weather settles in

A travel ban has been lifted in New York’s Erie County, days after it was put into place as a deadly blizzard swept across the region, at times reducing visibility to zero.

The ban, which was implemented Friday, expired at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, officials said.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown told reporters Wednesday night that the roads were in good enough condition to lift the ban.

“It has been 6 days,” Brown said. “Some people have not been able to restock groceries, to restock medications, to get to medical appointments, and being able to lift the travel ban safely now will allow people to do those important things.”

Most streets in the city are passable, Brown said, and he expected crews to have made a pass down the center of every residential street by the end of the night.

Though the ban has been lifted, a travel advisory was in place for Erie County as cleanup continues and a county-wide state of emergency remained. Brown asked people to be cautious and avoid driving unless necessary.

More than 450 pieces of equipment were on Buffalo streets plowing and hauling snow, and many traffic signals were still not working, he said.

The storm dumped upwards of 20 inches of snow in parts of New York — including nearly 52 inches at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

The powerful storm plunged much of the United States into a deep freeze, creating life-threatening conditions as more than 1 million homes and businesses were left in the dark, and wreaking havoc on flight schedules during the busy holiday travel week.

At least 76 people died in the storm, according to an NBC News tally. Erie County accounted for 37 of the deaths, 29 of which were in Buffalo.

Weather-related deaths were also reported in Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Illinois and Vermont.

In Buffalo, officials said it was possible the number could rise.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said Wednesday night that police have cleared the backlog of calls relating to welfare checks, stranded motorists and reports of bodies.

The monster storm that killed dozens in the US over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travellers nationwide, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

Search and rescue teams were returning Thursday to check locations where bodies had been reported but could not be confirmed — either because of the amount of snow or the vagueness of location, Gramaglia said.

"We believe there were some credible 911 calls that contained more information ... low single digit numbers, that's again why we're going to concentrate our efforts on hitting those areas," he told reporters.

In Erie County, 17 of the people who died in the blizzard were found outside and four were in a vehicle , according to County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Several people died because of a delay receiving emergency services or from cardiac events related to shoveling or blowing snow. Of the deaths, nine were people who died because they had no heat in their homes, he said.

Poloncarz said in a tweet Wednesday night that 500 National Guard members have conducted nearly 850 welfare checks on residents who had longterm power outages.

Power was being restored to New York, and by early Thursday, about 400 customers in the state were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us .

In Buffalo, where more than 20,000 customers were without power at one point during the storm, only three had no electricity Wednesday night, according to Brown, the mayor.

On Wednesday, city offices, facilities and roadways opened, as temperatures rose into the 40s across parts of New York.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which has been closed since Friday , reopened Wednesday.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday night that all major state highways in western New York, including the Erie County portion of Interstate 190 and several state routes, would reopen at midnight.

“I am extremely grateful to all the highway maintenance workers, first responders and emergency service staff who continue to work tirelessly to help their fellow New Yorkers," Hochul said in a statement .   

The temperature is expected to continue climbing to the low-50s in the Buffalo region by Friday, and will help melt the accumulated snow, according to the National Weather Service .

Claire Cardona is a breaking news editor for NBC News Digital.

travel ban erie county today

Saturday brings more snow, leaving some areas buried under 6 feet

Photos submitted by people in the southtowns, from left to right: "Officially over my head in OP" from Kelly McLaughlin LoTempio, "(Route) 240 this morning!!! I cleaned it off before bed last night ❄️" from Amy Smith, and a photo of a dog in the snow from Wendy Lynn Powell.

On Friday, the National Weather Service expected snow totals of around two feet. Now, on Saturday, snow totals have already reached 77 inches in Orchard Park (6.4 feet) and 73.7 inches (6.14 feet) in Hamburg.

While NWS is reporting only 3.3 inches in Tonawanda, as of Erie County's 6 a.m. update, the expectation is that the snow is now moving northward, and areas that were not hit as badly Thursday and Friday can expect more snow Saturday.

  • Lake Effect Snow Warnings are still in place through Sunday for several counties including Erie and Niagara
  • Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Wyoming, Allegany, Orleans, and McKean (PA) counties through Sunday.
  • A State of Emergency in Erie County continues indefinitely
  • A Travel Ban is in effect for most of Erie County— but has been downgraded to just an advisory in several locations.

Erie County Travel Ban

A travel ban is in effect as of 6:30 AM Nov 19, 2022 for the City of Buffalo, Hamburg, Evans, Eden, Boston, Orchard Park, Aurora, Wales, Marilla, Elma, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, and Alden. All other parts of Erie County are under a travel advisory.

As of 3 p.m. travel ban is in effect for the City of Buffalo south of William Street, Hamburg, Evans, Eden, Boston, Orchard Park, Aurora, Wales, Marilla, Elma, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, and Alden. All other parts of Erie County are under a travel advisory.

"We are making progress in the city of Buffalo, but there is still a long way to go. We have had a snow ban set up for an extended period of time, as you know, in South Buffalo, dumping over four feet of snow," Mayor Byron Brown said.

Another eight to 10 inches are expected through 1 a.m. Sunday in the City of Buffalo.

"So we are coming to the end, hopefully, of this event, if the forecasts that we've received are correct," Brown added.

Erie County continues to provide updates every few hours on their YouTube channel.

“The vast majority of Erie County residents have done the right thing and stayed off the roads,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said in a tweet Friday. “Unfortunately, it only takes one to two vehicles to tie up plow and first responder crews. Please stay home.”

WNY Travel Bans & Advisories

Niagara County: No travel advisories are in effect and there are no plans to institute any, according to Niagara County Director of Emergency Services Jonathan Schultz.  

“We will continue to closely monitor the storm and be prepared to take any actions regarding travel and safety should they be deemed necessary,” Schultz said in a statement.  

Genesee County: No travel advisories are in effect, but the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to stay home so that emergency personnel can travel more easily.

 “Please remember that even if it is not snowing where you are, the destination you are traveling to may have poor visibility and heavy snow accumulation,” Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron said in a statement posted to Facebook. “The best and safest option for you and your loved ones is to stay home until the snowstorm passes.”  

Chautauqua County: No travel advisories are in effect, but officials are reminding Chautauqua County residents to postpone or cancel non-essential travel, drive slowly, keep 200 feet behind snow plows and keep an emergency kit and cell phone with them if driving, according to a Thursday news release .  

“With this storm, drivers should be prepared for areas of snow-covered roads and poor visibility,” Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said in a statement. “If you must travel, drivers are urged to slow down and use caution when traveling on slick or snow-covered roads.” 

You can find more information for your county by clicking here:

  • Erie County - http://www2.erie.gov/
  • Niagara County - http://niagaracounty.com/
  • Chautauqua County - http://chautauqua.ny.us/
  • Cattaraugus County - http://www.cattco.org/
  • Orleans County - http://www.orleansny.com/
  • Wyoming County - http://www.wyomingco.net/
  • Allegany County - https://www.alleganyco.gov/
  • Genesee County - http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/

NFTA & Colleges

As of Saturday morning, the NFTA says buses are not running in Erie and Niagara counties, except for Paratransit but the NFTA is asking riders to reschedule if possible.

Erie County Community South Campus is being used as a snow dump by the county, and North Campus is being utilized for staging rescue crews.

National Guard Deployed & State Efforts

Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard to assist in Erie County's efforts.

The National Guard has arrived at @ErieCountyNY 's Emergency Operations Center. They are being sent out to pickup and deliver people whom require dialysis. Thanks @GovKathyHochul for calling them up to help with the response efforts. pic.twitter.com/jPlxXk8biF — Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) November 19, 2022

In advance of the storm, Gov. Hochul on Thursday urged residents in Western New York to stay home

“We’re expecting upwards of two to four feet. It’s not just the volume, two to four feet the first night, we could possibly see anywhere from four to six feet between now and Sunday. It is the rate of snow that is most concerning,” Hochul said.

travel ban erie county today

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Welcome to Erie County, NY

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz » ERIE COUNTY UPDATES TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21

ERIE COUNTY UPDATES TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Modified: November 21, 2022 6:28am

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For press releases from other years, please click on one of the following links:

  • 2011 Transition

Following continued reviews of road conditions and weather forecasts and constant communication with city, town and village officials from throughout the region, Erie County announces it will update its travel restrictions to reflect the following as it pertains to driving bans starting Monday, Nov. 21.

*Effective at midnight tonight, the travel ban for the Town and Village of Orchard Park will be lifted and replaced by a travel advisory for all of Orchard Park

* Effective at 6 a.m., the travel ban for the Town of Hamburg, Village of Hamburg and Village of Blasdell will be lifted and be replaced by a travel advisory for all of Hamburg

* Effective at 6 a.m., the travel ban for the Town of Evans and the Village of Angola will be lifted and replaced by a travel advisory for all of Evans

The City of Lackawanna and the City of Buffalo south of William Street will continue to have a driving ban until further notice.

Following consultation with state officials, Route 219 and New York State Thruway exits 56 and 57 will also re-open to all traffic effective at midnight tonight.

In addition, the following municipalities will have their travel advisories lifted:

Cheektowaga

City of Tonawanda

Grand Island

North Collins

Springville

Williamsville

County officials are still urging all residents to use extreme caution when traveling, especially when approaching intersections in order to help prevent additional blocked roads from motor vehicle accidents or stranded vehicles and to help continue allowing snow removal crews, tow trucks and emergency responders to conduct their work.

Click here to access the updated travel advisory map

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All Erie County travel bans lifted

travel ban erie county today

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The travel bans that were put in place in Erie County on Wednesday due to the heavy lake effect snow were all lifted as of 8 a.m. Thursday.

READ MORE: All Erie County travel bans have been lifted, travel advisory remains in place for entire county

The travel ban that was in place for the City of North Tonawanda was lifted at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Governor Hochul released the following guidelines for traveling in winter weather:

  • Do not drive unless necessary.
  • If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, a flashlight, extra batteries, extra warm clothing, a set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods, and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
  • If you have a cell phone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
  • The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.
  • It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit, to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.
  • Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it is operating.

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Fairview Twp. sued over ban of chickens that homeowner says are emotional support animals

Lindbergh drive resident claims in federal lawsuit that raising hens and rooster relieves her anxiety and that township's rules against the birds violate her rights under federal fair housing act..

travel ban erie county today

  • Since May 2023, Michelle Kraus has been at odds with Fairview Township over the chickens she has kept in backyard of her and husband's house
  • Township says zoning rules prohibit chickens in residential areas, while Kraus said her chickens should be allowed because they are emotional support animals
  • Lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Erie will deal with claims of discrimination and whether rooster and hens should be allowed on Kraus' property

Raising hens and a rooster is more than a hobby for Michelle Kraus. She values the chickens so much that she is suing in federal court to keep them in her backyard in Fairview Township.

Kraus is claiming the fowl are emotional support animals that ease her anxiety and help control her blood pressure. Tending to the birds, her lawsuit says, "gives her a reason to physically get up every morning."

Kraus is suing Fairview over its decision to ban her from having the birds due to zoning regulations.

The suit claims the township is violating her rights under the federal Fair Housing Act by failing to accommodate her anxiety-related "medical impairment" by refusing to let her raise the chickens at her and her husband's house. They live in the 100 block of Lindbergh Drive, north of Route 5 off Mellhorn Road, east of Girard.

The township, the 45-year-old Kraus claims in her suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Erie on Feb. 16, is discriminating against her "on the basis of her handicaps by refusing Plaintiff's request for reasonable accommodations for her chickens and rooster."

"Such accommodations," according to the suit, "are necessary to afford Plaintiff Michelle Kraus an equal opportunity to use and enjoy her dwelling."

The suit claims the township's stance has caused Kraus to suffer "mental anguish, loss of dignity, emotional stress and humiliation and loss of her right to equal housing opportunities regardless of her disabilities." It also claims the township has retaliated against her in response to her claims under the Fair Housing Act and the use of assistance animals .

Kraus and her lawyer, Anthony Andrezeski, want a judge or jury to determine that Fairview discriminated against Kraus and to award her damages of an unspecified amount. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter is assigned the case.

Andrezeski said Kraus had no comment on the suit. The lawyer who has been representing Fairview in the zoning dispute, Andrew Schmidt, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The township will get a chance to respond to the suit in court.

Psychologist says chickens offer emotional support

Kraus and her husband, Michael Kraus, bought their house in 2016 and started keeping the chickens in an enclosed area in their backyard in 2022, according to the suit. At that time, the suit claims, "two other residents in the neighborhood already had chickens boarded at their homes."

The township notified the Krauses in May 2023 that they were violating an ordinance that prohibits chickens in residential neighborhoods, according to the suit. The Krauses said they told the township's zoning officer, James Cardman, that neighbors had chickens when they moved in, and that they were unaware of the ban.

Cardman denied the Krauses' request to continue to raise chickens. In response, according to the lawsuit, Michelle Kraus in June gave Cardman a letter from a licensed clinical psychologist, Eileen Laughman.

Laughman found Kraus met the requirements for emotional support animals, according to the suit and letter, filed as an exhibit. Laughman wrote she was responding to Kraus' request about whether having "a small flock of hens and rooster" at home was "a reasonable accommodation based on a disability-related need."

The raising of the chickens, Laughman wrote, "is prescribed to provide therapeutic emotional support" to help Kraus deal with an array of issues, including "managing emotional reactions to stress and anxiety."

The lawsuit expounds on why Kraus relies on the birds.

"Her chickens and rooster," it claims, "give her a reason to physically get up every morning to tend to the needs of these animals. They (the chickens and the rooster) keep Plaintiff's anxiety and blood pressure down significantly, allowing Plaintiff not to be reliant on prescription medications."

'I never heard of this': What issues will suit present?

The township still found against the Krauses.

In a letter on June 22, Cardman, the zoning officer, told the couple they had continued to violate the zoning ordinance. Cardman gave them until July 6 to remove the birds from their property or face fines up to $500 per day.

The township then filed a civil complaint against the Krauses before McKean District Judge Denise Stuck-Lewis on Sept. 12. The township wants her to find the Krauses in continued violation of the zoning ordinance and fine them.

A hearing was scheduled for Feb. 20, but the complaint remains unresolved. The filing of the federal lawsuit on Feb. 16 could pause that case.

As the lawsuit proceeds, it has the potential to focus on the definition of emotional support animals and requirements under the Fair Housing Act.

Whatever happens, the unusual nature of the case is summarized by a statement the Krauses claim Cardman made to them. The suit claims he remarked after the Krauses raised what so far has turned out to be their unsuccessful argument — one centered on the chickens as emotional support animals.

"I never heard of this," Cardman said, the lawsuit claims. "I will have to give it to our lawyer and let you know."

Contact Ed Palattella at  [email protected] . Follow him on X  @ETNpalattella .

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Where will you be for the April 8 total solar eclipse? There’s still time to grab a spot

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America. It will be the last one visible from the contiguous United States until 2044. Here’s what viewers should expect to see during each stage of the eclipse. (Feb. 16) (AP video: Christine Nguyen)

travel ban erie county today

A total solar eclipse will cross North America in April. This animated map shows the path of totality across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. (Feb. 29) (AP Animation: Panagiotis Mouzakis and Marshall Ritzel)

FILE - Blake Davis, 10, of Coral Springs, Fla., looks through solar glasses as he watches the eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fla. After April 8, 2024, there won’t be another U.S. eclipse, spanning coast to coast, until 2045. That one will stretch from Northern California all the way to Cape Canaveral, Florida. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Sunglasses won’t cut it during the April 8 eclipse. Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the sun as the moon marches across the late morning and afternoon sky on April 8, covering more and more and then less and less of our star. (AP Video/Shelby Lum)

FILE - People gather near Redmond, Ore., to view the sun as it nears a total eclipse by the moon, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in North America first hits land at Mexico’s Pacific coast, cuts diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and exits in eastern Canada. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

FILE - People gather near Redmond, Ore., to view the sun as it nears a total eclipse by the moon, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in North America first hits land at Mexico’s Pacific coast, cuts diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and exits in eastern Canada. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

  • Copy Link copied

FILE - Heavy traffic moves slowly along Interstate 80 in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. Wyoming was one of the states in the path of the total eclipse, and thousands of people poured into the state for the view, causing massive traffic jams that are normally seen in major metropolitan areas. (Blaine McCartney/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP, File)

FILE - Tyler Hanson, of Fort Rucker, Ala., watches the sun moments before the total eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in North America first hits land at Mexico’s Pacific coast, cuts diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and exits in eastern Canada. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

FILE - A model of the planet Saturn stands near Route 1 in Westfield, Maine, Friday, May 9, 2003. The nation’s largest three-dimensional scale model of the solar system is positioned along a 40-mile stretch of highway between Presque Isle, Maine, and Houlton, Maine. The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in North America first hits land at Mexico’s Pacific coast, cuts diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and exits in eastern Canada. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Where will you be watching the April 8 total solar eclipse ? There are just a few weeks left to pick your spot to see the skies darken along a strip of North America, whether by land, sea or air.

For those who live inside the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer-wide) path of total darkness , it may be a matter of just stepping outside and donning special eclipse glasses to watch the spectacle unfold. For the millions outside the path, or those who just want to improve their chances of clear skies, it could mean hitting the road with a game plan.

The eclipse reaches Mexico’s Pacific coast in the morning, cuts diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and exits in eastern Canada by late afternoon. Most of the rest of the continent will see a partial eclipse.

Where to watch the total solar eclipse

The weather will be key, and spring weather along the path can be dicey. Mexico and Texas offer the best odds of sunny skies, said retired Canadian meteorologist Jay Anderson .

“There’s no guarantee of sunshine anywhere — just better chances,” he said.

Anderson studies satellite data for the previous 20 years to calculate how often a location has cloudy weather on any eclipse day. Besides Mexico and Texas, he said there are other promising spots on the path of totality, particularly along the Great Lakes.

FILE - Eclipse watchers squint through protective filters as they view an eclipse of the sun from the top deck of New York's Empire State Building in New York on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 1932. Full solar eclipses occur every year or two or three, often in the middle of nowhere like the South Pacific or Antarctic. (AP Photo/File, File)

The advice: If you’re flexible, start paying attention to local weather about 10 days out, and make your plans on the three-day forecast. Die-hard eclipse chasers often line up more than one location and make last-minute decisions based on the best forecast, he said.

How to prepare like an eclipse chaser

One veteran eclipse chaser recommends picking a location and make it a vacation so that the eclipse is “the cherry on top” and not the only highlight — just in case things don’t work out.

Tom Schultz will be traveling from his retirement home in Costa Rica to watch the eclipse from his mother-in-law’s house in Rochester, New York, along with other relatives.

“If we get rained out, we’ll get this great family reunion,” said Schultz.

Veteran Anne Marie Adkins could drive across town in San Antonio to see the total eclipse, but opted to join an astronomer-led tour to Mazatlán, Mexico, betting on clear skies there. She’s been thwarted by clouds on other trips. For the 2017 U.S. eclipse, she went to Nebraska and had to scramble that day to find better skies.

“It’s a gamble. You never know what you are going to get,” said Adkins.

Post-eclipse traffic is a particular worry, especially in more rural areas like the Texas Hill Country. Patricia Moore, of the Bandera visitors center , said last year’s “ring of fire” eclipse provided a dress rehearsal for police and other first responders. Tiny Bandera — the “Cowboy Capital of the World” — expects crowds from nearby weekend music festivals.

“After the eclipse will be a challenge,” she said.

Where are the eclipse watch parties?

With the eclipse falling on a Monday, cities and towns along the path have lined up a weekend full of activities and watch parties to attract visitors. There are a multitude of music festivals and gatherings planned at museums, parks, wineries and other businesses hoping to capitalize on the buzz.

Niagara Falls has a slate of events for days and is expecting July Fourth-sized crowds for the eclipse, said Sara Harvey, spokeswoman for Destination Niagara USA.

There are multiple vantage points to watch the show from Niagara Falls State Park, and the famous Maid of the Mist tourist boats may be running, weather permitting, she said. Even if it’s cloudy, visitors will get “a beautiful view of the falls,” Harvey said.

In Waco, Texas, festivities will culminate on eclipse day with science-themed activities outside Baylor’s McLane stadium , along what’s called Touchdown Alley.

It may be too late to snag a cabin on a cruise ship positioned off the Mexico coast for the eclipse, but there are other watery options including a ride on the paddle-wheeler Victorian Princess on Lake Erie from Erie, Pennsylvania.

If the sky beckons, Southwest and Delta have identified flights that will fly along or near the eclipse path. A special Delta flight from Austin to Detroit quickly sold out, prompting the airline to add another from Dallas.

Looking for an different kind of place to watch the sun, moon and Earth align? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host NASA astronauts and other guests. Cedar Point amusement park on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, is opening for the day. And the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas is throwing a tailgate fundraising party and inviting visitors to watch the zoo’s residents react to the midday darkness.

You can also spend the day visiting the planets. In northern Maine, a scale model of the solar system is displayed along nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of U.S. Route 1. Retired geology professor Kevin McCartney expects to unveil a new 23- foot-tall (7-meters-tall) roadside sun at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on eclipse day. “You won’t be able to miss it,” he said.

Anderson, the weather expert, said it’s well worth the travel to see the “special magical moment” of a total eclipse: “It’s the Taylor Swift of natural events.”

This story was first published on March 2 and was updated on March 4 to fix the spelling of McLane stadium.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

travel ban erie county today

IMAGES

  1. Map of travel bans and advisories in Erie County

    travel ban erie county today

  2. ERIE COUNTY, CITY OF BUFFALO UPDATE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF SATURDAY

    travel ban erie county today

  3. Erie County travel ban lifted as road conditions improve

    travel ban erie county today

  4. Updated travel ban and advisory map in Erie County

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  5. Travel bans in Erie and Niagara County remain in effect

    travel ban erie county today

  6. Travel Ban Map as of 11-20-14 at 11 p.m.

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COMMENTS

  1. Travel bans lifted Thursday, travel advisory in effect

    The travel bans in Erie County went into effect Wednesday morning and remain in effect until further notice. ... Emily Miller is a digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2022.

  2. Travel ban lifted for all of Erie County

    Updated: Jan 15, 2024 / 02:52 PM EST. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The travel ban has been lifted for all of Erie County and downgraded to a travel advisory, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz ...

  3. All Erie County travel bans have been lifted, travel advisory ...

    All of Erie County will now be under a travel advisory, as lake effect snow will continue through 7PM today. NYS will be evaluating the commercial driving ban on the 90 later this morning. pic ...

  4. Update: Some travel ban lifted in Erie County, caution urged in Niagara

    Jan. 14—The travel ban for passenger and commercial vehicles in Erie County has been lifted in Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst, Clarence and Newstead. Central Erie County and many Southtowns will remain under a full travel ban until further notice, and the Thruway remains closed to commercial traffic between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania State Line. Drivers are advised to stay off the roads ...

  5. Governor Hochul and Local Authorities Announce Full Travel Ban to

    Governor Kathy Hochul and local authorities today announced that the full travel ban for passenger and commercial vehicles remains in most of Erie County, but has been lifted in the Towns of Collins, North Collins, Concord, Sardinia, Colden and Holland, as well as in the Villages of North Collins and Springville.

  6. Travel bans end in Buffalo, Erie County; advisory in effect

    Barbara O'Brien , Aaron Besecker. All travel bans will have been lifted in Erie County as of 8 a.m. though the county will remain under a travel advisory, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said ...

  7. Travel ban lifted in Erie County as road conditions improve

    Dec. 29, 2022, 1:04 AM PST. By Claire Cardona. A travel ban has been lifted in New York's Erie County, days after it was put into place as a deadly blizzard swept across the region, at times ...

  8. Erie County Updates Travel Restrictions As of Friday, November 18 at 8

    ERIE COUNTY, NY— Following continued reviews of road conditions and weather forecasts, Erie County has updated its travel restrictions as of 8 a.m. on Friday, November 18. The City of Buffalo and the Towns of Brant, Colden, Collins, Concord, Holland, North Collins and Sardinia are now under a Travel Advisory. Link to updated map.

  9. Travel ban ends for much of Buffalo

    The State of Emergency went into effect at 8 p.m. Thursday and the travel ban for Erie County took effect at 9 p.m., though it was rolled back in some areas Friday morning.

  10. Erie County, City of Buffalo Update Travel Restrictions As of Saturday

    Latest News. ERIE COUNTY REALIZES $637,673 IN ENERGY REBATES FOR PHASE I OF ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACT ... ERIE COUNTY, NY—Effective immediately (Saturday, November 19 at 6:30 a.m.), the city of Buffalo and Erie County are implementing a Travel Ban for the entire city of Buffalo based on current and expected weather and road conditions.

  11. Lake Effect Snow Warning: The latest travel bans and advisories

    Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz shared an announcement on X saying that the travel advisory will stay in place as lake effect snow continued through 7 p.m. on Thursday. The Western New York ...

  12. Last Erie County travel ban to be lifted Monday afternoon

    In consultation with NYS, Erie County is lifting the travel ban for the towns of Amherst, Clarence, Grand Island, Newstead and Towawanda as of 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The travel ban for the towns of ...

  13. If you drive under a travel ban, you will be ticketed, Erie County

    BUFFALO, N.Y. — A travel ban is in place for all of Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties. There's also travel advisories for Wyoming and Chautauqua counties. The New York State traffic ...

  14. Travel ban lifted in some Erie County towns

    Updated:2:12 PM EST January 15, 2024. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced SMonday that the travel ban has been lifted for all communities in the county. Lackawanna was ...

  15. Travel ban starts 9 p.m. tonight in Erie County and on the Thruway

    Jan 13, 2024 Updated Jan 13, 2024. BUFFALO — A travel ban will take effect 9 p.m. tonight in Erie County and the Thruway from Henrietta to Pennsylvania, state police said. Any non-emergency ...

  16. Saturday brings more snow, leaving some areas buried under 6 feet

    A Travel Ban is in effect for most of Erie County— but has been downgraded to just an advisory in several locations. Erie County Travel Ban. Erie County. A travel ban is in effect as of 6:30 AM Nov 19, 2022 for the City of Buffalo, Hamburg, Evans, Eden, Boston, Orchard Park, Aurora, Wales, Marilla, Elma, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Lancaster ...

  17. State of Emergency and Travel Advisory Still in Effect for Erie County

    Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz reminds all that the State of Emergency and Travel Advisory issued for the previous storm for Erie County is still in effect and will remain in effect through Thursday evening, January 18, 2024.

  18. Erie County Updates Travel Restrictions As of Monday, November 21

    Latest News. ERIE COUNTY REALIZES $637,673 IN ENERGY REBATES FOR PHASE I OF ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACT ... Erie County announces it will update its travel restrictions to reflect the following as it pertains to driving bans starting Monday, Nov. 21. *Effective at midnight tonight, the travel ban for the Town and Village of Orchard Park will be ...

  19. Update: Some travel ban lifted in Erie County, caution urged in Niagara

    Central Erie County and many Southtowns will remain under a full travel ban until further notice, and the Thruway remains closed to commercial traffic between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania State Line.

  20. All Erie County travel bans lifted

    The travel bans that were put in place in Erie County on Wednesday due to the heavy lake effect snow were all lifted as of 8 a.m. Thursday. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays Watch Now

  21. Buffalo Travel Ban: Is Erie County Driving Ban in Effect?

    A Buffalo travel ban on non-emergency driving remains in effect today, December 27, 2022, in the latest update. On December 27, 2022, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wrote in a statement ...

  22. Erie County takes aim at travel ban violators: 'Do not be the reason an

    Law enforcement officers wrote 300-plus tickets through Friday evening to drivers who violated travel bans during a lake-effect snowstorm that dropped 5 feet of snow in a day in some

  23. PDF Erie County Guidance on Essential Travel

    Employees traveling during a State of Emergency Travel ban will need to be able to provide company documentation (such as an ID card) from their employer indicating their essential status. For further local guidance and updates, please comply with travel directives released in the media and on official Erie County channels.

  24. DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Annual Residential Brush Burning Prohibition

    Since the ban was established, the eight-year annual average number of spring fires decreased by 42.6 percent, from 2,649 in 2009, to 1,521 in 2018. Warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State.

  25. Eclipse means no Erie County Court sessions and no public at City Hall

    On day of eclipse, Erie County Court will not meet and City Hall will close to public Court official, Erie mayor announce plans in response to large crowds expected for total solar eclipse on April 8.

  26. Can chickens be support animals? Fairview homeowner sues over fowl ban

    The township, the 45-year-old Kraus claims in her suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Erie on Feb. 16, is discriminating against her "on the basis of her handicaps by refusing Plaintiff's ...

  27. Governor Hochul and Local Authorities Announce Full Travel Ban in Erie

    Governor Kathy Hochul and local authorities today announced that a full travel ban for passenger vehicles will be in effect for all of Erie County beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday to give plow crews time and space to clear roads during the overnight hours. This ban will be reassessed at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

  28. Where will you be for the April 8 total solar eclipse? There's still

    It may be too late to snag a cabin on a cruise ship positioned off the Mexico coast for the eclipse, but there are other watery options including a ride on the paddle-wheeler Victorian Princess on Lake Erie from Erie, Pennsylvania. If the sky beckons, Southwest and Delta have identified flights that will fly along or near the eclipse path.

  29. 'Everything will come to a standstill': Erie County ...

    Erie County says it is seeing clearly and planning for the total solar eclipse that is less than 40 days away. Part of the plan is asking businesses to close that day to keep regular traffic off ...