BUFFALO, N.Y. — A travel advisory was effect for all of Erie County due to the high winds forecast for our area.
The high winds are expected to bring down tree limbs and powerlines.
National Grid crews are staged all across Western New York and ready to respond if Tuesday's high winds cause power outages across the region.
National Grid spokesman David Bertola says the company has its own crews and also contracted crews at various points from Dunkirk to Batavia and places in between.
"What we will do is we play the waiting game. We wait and see where the outages might be happening, and then we deploy. We have about a dozen different barns that are located across Western New York. Our crews will be stationed there and other places," Bertola said.
Winds are forecasted to come from the southeast — a direction different than what we're used to — so that could topple trees, which in turn, can take down power lines.
"The ground is not frozen. The ground is soft. The roots on the trees that are currently in the ground are not as firm as what you would like, so when the wind does come through, you may see the trees move a little bit more. Depending on the condition of that tree, how strong the wind is in that area, that's when we could see trees that start to come down," National Grid spokesman, Ken Kujawa, said.
PHOTOS: High winds cause damage across WNY
National Grid is reminding people to assume all downed wires are 'live' wires with electricity flowing through them. Do not touch them. Instead, contact National Grid so their crews can take care of it. Also, don't assume National Grid is aware of your power outage. You can call them or go online to notify them of your outage.
At a news conference Monday, City of Buffalo DPW commissioner, Nate Marton, reminded residents to contact 311 if they see downed trees, downed signs, or debris in the roads. He said to call 911 if you see downed wires.
Marton said his crews will be out monitoring and assessing damage across Buffalo.
On the roads, an empty tractor trailer ban goes into effect for the Kensington Expressway (33), 219, 400, 290, Skyway, and I-86 in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties.
Additionally, the Thruway Authority will restrict empty tractor trailers and tandem trucks from traveling on I-90 from the Pennsylvania border to exit 36 (I-81 in Syracuse) and on the I-90 from the 190 split to exit 22 (Route 62/Niagara Falls). This goes into effect at 10 a.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until further notice.