Syracuse, NY – The lake effect snow machine that dumped record snow on Syracuse three days ago has turned its attention to Oswego County.
Several towns in Oswego County have received up to 4 feet of snow since the New Year and counting. According to social media posts, businesses were closed and residents were trapped inside.
Pulaski, Sandy Creek and Orwell appeared to be the hardest hit.
Some local fire departments were unable to respond to emergencies.
Most Ringgold Fire Department firefighters can’t get out of their driveways, and the two firefighters who did couldn’t get an engine out because 3 to 5 feet of snow blocked the hangar doors, said Justin Crowl, first assistant chief.
“It’s tough for volunteer fire departments right now,” Crowl said. “This snow is really getting to us, it’s just adding to the stress.”
Snow fell heavily overnight into this morning. The National Weather Service predicted snowfall rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour.
“It’s been absolutely nuclear for over 2 hours now” in Pulaski, he wrote User X Maines Abominable SnowBART at 4:45 am today. “Easy rates of 3 to 5/hour!”
Pit Pond BBQ, also in Pulaski, open late today. One of the owners, Jen Harvey, said she had to clear 4 feet of snow from her driveway before she could get inside the restaurant.
This isn’t the biggest storm she’s ever seen, but it’s up there.
“We’ve had it before, but we haven’t had snow like this in a long time,” Harvey said.
The sun was shining in Pulaski at 1:30 p.m., Harvey said.
An additional 1 to 3 feet of snow could fall today as westerly winds draw moisture from Lake Ontario and dump it on the cold slope of the Tug Hill Plateau.
A winter storm warning is in effect for Oswego, Lewis and Jefferson counties.
The nearby Lacona Fire Department was able to get one crew together if an engine was needed, but the others are still stuck at home, Lt. Connor Rowell said.
Rowell said many of his calls today involved carbon monoxide alarms. Outside pipes can become blocked by snow, causing a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide in both homes and commercial buildings.
Most fire hydrants in their area are completely hidden by massive six-foot snow banks, Rowell said. They will have to spend time today searching for and digging out hydrants, he said.
Leave a Reply