ANCHOR Blizzard Resources

Critical Resources:

911 for life-threatening/medical emergencies.

211 WNY is available 24/7 to connect to community services/resources.

311 for City of Buffalo non-emergencies (fallen trees, debris, street plowing issues, etc.). If you are calling from outside of the City of Buffalo, dial 716-851-4890. Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for mental health and crisis support, available 24/7 nationwide.

Power Outages/Issues

  • National Grid at 800-867-5222
  • NYSEG at 800-572-1131

NOTE: 716-858-SNOW line has been discontinued; please use 211 to request assistance.

The WNY Peace Center is proud to be part of ANCHOR: Addressing Needs for Community Health, Opportunity, and Resiliency.

ANCHOR is calling on City of Buffalo residents to:

  • Check on your neighbors – especially those who may be elderly, disabled, and/or vulnerable in any other way and those who are snowed in. Look out for houses on your block where no snow has been cleared away; neighbors may be trapped/stick inside the house.
  • For those able to get outside, clear sewer drains (also known as receivers, sewer grates, catch basins) and debris in the street, and dig out fire hydrants. Watch for downed power lines and other hazards.
  • Begin preparing for thawing frozen pipes and flooding from melted snow. See these suggestions from the American Red Cross and community advocates:
  1. Clear snow and debris away from sewer drains and critical areas around your home before it becomes a heavy slush.
  2. To ask questions about how to SAFELY secure basement utilities against basement flooding, call a local plumber and/or your landlord.
  3. Get important things off basement floors.
  4. Find out where your electrical box is and identify the main breaker. DO NOT TOUCH IT if there is water in your basement.
  5. If you own a sump pump, get it ready now, and make sure it’s working. Read the manual.

Additional Information

If your vehicle has been towed, you can check erie.gov/towedvehicles and apps.city-buffalo.com/apps/TowedVehicles/default.aspx

City of Buffalo Residents can sigh up for BuffAlert by texting their zip code to 38276. Erie County residents can access the ReadyErie app at erie.gov/readyerie

The City of Buffalo travel ban has been lifted as of 12:01 AM on Thursday, December 29th. There is still a travel advisory; please use caution as hundreds of plows continue to work on the streets.