POWER:As of 5 p.m., more than 9,000 homes and businesses were without power in the counties around Rochester.
Trees have brought down lines in Brighton, Henrietta and the City. Earlier, lines came down in Greece, at Latta and Long Pond Roads, and in Irondequoit on Seneca Road.
To report power outages, downed power lines or natural gas leaks, call RG&E 800-743-1701. And call NYSEG at 800-572-1131. National Grid customers should call 1-800-867-5222.
Do not use electrical generators indoors, and never use the stove or gas range to heat your home. Also, do not touch any downed lines, or tree limbs or debris stuck in these lines, which carry strong electric currents. If you smell natural gas, leave the area and call 911 or your utility.
TRAVEL:
Many of the departing and arriving flights at the Greater Rochester Airport this evening are cancelled. https://www2.monroecounty.gov/airportflights
Amtrak's Empire and Maple Leaf trains were stalled this afternoon by a power outage near Niagara Falls.
Empty tractor trailers are banned from the Thruway from the Pennylvania State Line to Utica.
Monroe and Livington counties have issued travel advisories. An advisory does not restrict travel, but it is a warning that hazardous driving conditions are present.
WEATHER:
The high wind warning is in effect locally until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Wind gusts of 68 and 70 miles per hour were recorded around 2 pm at the Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports, respectively. A 62 mph gust was recorded this afternoon in Rochester. Batavia had a 66 mph gust.
Lakeshore flood warnings are posted for Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
The National Weather Service says the highest water levels are expected tonight. High water, waves and ice blocks are expected to damage the shoreline.
People living along the lake are advised to move vehicles away from flood prone areas, and your are being warned to avoid standing along piers and breakwalls. The rising water could trap you or wash you away.
Genesee and Wyoming counties, and the counties closer to Buffalo are under a winter weather advisory and could see 2 to 5 inches of snow and whiteout conditions.
CITY OF ROCHESTER:
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is asking residents to only leave home if necessary, and abide by the travel advisory now in effect.
The city police and fire departments and 911 have called in additional staff to respond to the expected increase in 911 calls. And 311 will have extended hours until 8 pm tomorrow night.
The Gantt Center at 700 North Street is open around the clock for anyone needing shelter or assistance.
And the mayor says in a statement: "Rochester is no stranger to major storms - and if and when the power does go out, the greatest resource we have is each other."
The refuse and recycling schedule in the city is delayed by one day this week. And the City Department of Environmental Services will have 24-hour coverage to address any ramifications from the storm.
Please bring pets inside.
GREECE:
Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich has activated the town's emergency response center.And the Greece Department of Public Works Dispatch will be operational throughout the storm. In the event of downed trees in neighborhoods or any other town issues, call 225-4590.
The Greece Public Library Main Branch at the Greece Town Hall Campus is open as a warming center for anyone without power. In the event that sustained power outages occur, the town will open the Town of Greece Community and Senior Center, as it did during the wind storm of 2017.