BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Thousands of customers across Western New York are without power on Sunday, as a thunderstorm with powerful winds moved through the region.
As of 6:30pm, approximately 40,000 customers were in the dark across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genessee and Niagara Counties.
Winds between 50-60 mph forced downed trees and power lines. Even a billboard fell on top of a Mobil gas station on Route 5 in Lackawanna.
A billboard fell on the Mobil station on Rt. 5 in Lackawanna. @wkbw @andyparkertv @AutumnsWeather pic.twitter.com/ZqYC6Uyblc
— Jeff Rusack (@JeffRusack) November 15, 2020
By mid-afternoon, Lake Erie had risen three feet, with expectations that it would rise another three to five feet by Sunday night, according to 7 First Alert Meteorologist Andy Parker. By dinner time, the high water from Lake Erie caused flooding in area parking lots.
Wind-driven Lake Erie being pushed up on to the parking lots of Buffalo Harbor State Park at the Outer Harbor. #seiche @wkbw @andyparkertv @AutumnsWeather @AshleyroweWKBW @JeffRussoWKBW pic.twitter.com/rFzazJvijh
— Jeff Rusack (@JeffRusack) November 15, 2020
On social media, Buffalo Bills fans were expressing disappointment in the timing of the power outage, given its proximity to the start of the Bills game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Buffalo:
— brett (@brett8055) November 15, 2020
“That’s cool nothing on tv anyway”#BillsMafia
I swear to god if this first kiss of wintery weather takes out my cable I’m gonna toss hands and nobody’s gonna catch them because it’s nobody’s fault but still https://t.co/qsVtZ7sqX3
— rod kimble’s best friend josh allen (@whollyghostt) November 15, 2020
In West Seneca, downed power lines caused businesses to close. Rite Aid, near Center Road and Greymont, closed up with a handwritten sign on the door, saying "Power out. Sorry for the inconvenience."
National Grid has increased staffing across the region, to more than 2,600 line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety workers.
"We brought in contractors and electricity crews from all over the northeast and Canada just to prepare for this type of event," said David Bertola, National Grid spokesman. "They're ready, National Grid is ready, and they're out there now."
