UPDATE: Residents in Fulton, NY are facing a massive cleanup effort after a staggering 28 inches of lake-effect snow fell between Friday and Saturday morning. The city has lifted its snow emergency, allowing life to slowly return to normal after the intense storm.
City officials reported that the snowfall was so severe that some residents struggled to navigate the streets. Sixth Ward City Councilor Brandi Clonch described the conditions, stating, “We are buried. It’s definitely over 2 feet. It’s mid-thigh for me and I’m 5’10.”
According to the National Weather Service, the snow accumulation reached its peak on Friday, causing significant disruptions. Many residents, like Tawny Moeller, noted that fire hydrants were completely covered, and street signs were half buried. “In some spots, the snow is as high as my hips,” she reported.
As of Saturday morning, all streets had been plowed multiple times, with salt applied to ensure safety, confirmed DPW Commissioner Charles J. Smith III. “Our DPW crews have done an exceptional job getting our streets cleaned up,” Clonch added, noting that while the roads are narrowed, they are passable.
Mayor Jim Rice revealed that city crews worked nearly around the clock, concluding a prolonged shift around 8 a.m. on Saturday. They returned to continue cleanup efforts at midnight. “Our expectation was residents would be cleaning out,” he said, explaining that private plow contractors pushing snow back into streets complicated the situation.
The city had declared a snow emergency on Friday evening to facilitate plowing efforts, as parked cars hindered access. “We’d turn onto a street and there’d be cars parked in it, and we’d have to back out,” Rice stated. Police officers went door-to-door to ask residents to move vehicles, ensuring that plows could safely clear the streets.
Although the snow emergency has been lifted, residents should note that garbage and recycling pick-up has been rescheduled for Monday, covering the entire east side of the Oswego River.
As the city recovers, Rice assured that there were no significant issues reported for police or fire crews during the storm. However, he urged drivers to remain cautious on the roads and to give ample space to plows and emergency vehicles as cleanup continues.
This urgent snow event has impacted the daily lives of Fulton residents, who are now left to dig out and adapt to the aftermath of this record-setting storm. Stay tuned for more updates as the city works to return to normalcy.
