Disaster emergency proclamation issued after nearly 2 feet of snow falls in Erie County

The National Weather Service was calling for 10 to 20 inches to fall in Northwestern Pa. on Sunday and an additional 10 to 15 inches through Monday. Portions of Warren and McKean counties could see the brunt of this band of lake-effect snow.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a disaster emergency proclamation Saturday as parts of Erie County received nearly two feet of snow, with more expected through Monday night.

The Governor’s disaster declaration will allow the commonwealth to quickly draw down funding and provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities as they continue with ongoing response efforts.

City officials in Erie said Sunday the lake-effect snow had produced “treacherous” conditions that caused even snowplows to get stuck. The city estimated about 100 cars throughout the city were blocking roads and needed to be towed out of the way of plows. 

Pennsylvania State Police responded to nearly 200 incidents during the 24-hour period from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, officials said.

Though there was a break in the snow Saturday, more lake-effect snow is expected Sunday into Monday night. 

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has extended its Lake Effect Snow Warning impacting the northwestern part of the state through 7 a.m. Tuesday. The NWS was calling for 10 to 20 inches to fall in the area on Sunday and an additional 10 to 15 inches through Monday, with snowfall rates in 1 to 2 inches per hour. Portions of Warren and McKean counties could see the brunt of this band of lake-effect snow.

By the time the snow is expected to move out early Tuesday, Erie County could see 4 to 6 feet of total snowfall.