Snowstorm slams parts of WNY

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) - The weather in Hamburg and other parts of western New York are only going to get worse as the night goes on.

Late this morning, Steve Stepniak, the Buffalo's Public Works Commissioner gave us an update of his plans for fighting what he calls the first significant snowfall of the season, at least for the City.

Buffalo has 56 pieces of equipment, and will probably be using about 30 of them all night and adjust accordingly.

Some of the salt they're using tonight is actually last year's salt leftover from an easy winter, and from a late starting winter this year.

"We are at the point now where we've been preparing for this for 3 days. We've been getting all the equipment ready and running. The men and women of the streets department are now on twelve hour shifts and we will continue those 12 hour shifts  as long as possible and we will add workforce wherever needed at the time," says the Commissioner.

Another advantage road crews have this week are: no school buses on the road, and many people off of work which will make for fewer vehicles getting in the way of plows over the next several hours.