Home » Press Releases » Current News » City and BPD Respond to Wind Storm

City and BPD Respond to Wind Storm

Buffalo Police have been out in full force all day as they help residents deal with a wind storm that is producing gusts over 60 miles an hour. At a late morning news conference at City Hall, Mayor Byron W. Brown issued a travel advisory in the city. A travel advisory means no unnecessary travel during the storm.

Buffalo Police have received a high number of calls during the storm. As of late morning, police say they've received about 700 calls or double the normal amount. Most of the calls are weather related and include flash flooding, down trees and power lines, minor traffic accidents and traffic signals either completely out or malfunctioning.

Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson is urging all residents to use extra caution when they approach an intersection where traffic signals are not working. The Commissioner is asking motorists to treat those intersections as four way stops. Motorists should make sure they check in all directions before moving through the intersection.

One of the main intersections with signal problems is Parkside and the 198 near the Buffalo Zoo. Motorists are asked to use extra caution in that area. City Officials are working with the State Department of Transportation to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible.

Early this morning, a Buffalo Police car was damaged after responding to a call in the 700 block of Fillmore Avenue. Police say the wind blew off the roof of a news stand and struck the vehicle. The rear window, roof and trunk of the police car were damaged. The car was occupied at the time, but the Officer was not injured.

If you have an emergency, you're asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Any issue relating to a gas emergency, residents should call National Fuel at 1-800-444-3130.

The strong winds are expected to remain in effect until late this afternoon or early this evening. At that time, winds are expected to diminish.