Windstorm Rips Through Rochester and Buffalo Closing Thruway

Rochester got slammed today with high winds, and damage. It started at 5:30 A.M with rain, then sleet, and snow. We didn't get much snow, but it was a slippery mixture, and white outs. Temperatures plunged 20 degrees. Winds up to 72 mph. Unlike the brief windstorm that hit 3 weeks ago this has been an all day event. Buffalo got the brunt of it, see links below.

* A 55 Mile section of the Thruway has been closed from Henrietta to Buffalo due to icy roads, and "white outs".

* Nearly 17,000 without power in Rochester.

* Two-dozen of outlying schools are closed or delayed.

* Many accidents have been reported.

* Debris - downed trees and limbs, downed wires.

* Some streets close down.

* 15 foot waves on Lake Ontario.

Buffalo got hit harder then Rochester- Floods occurred, Most schools closed, 70,000 without power, down trees and much more. See link below.

The Buffalo News

Democrat and Chronicle News

NYS Thruway Closes