Broome County is under a state of Emergency that was issued December 16 while travel bans have been ordered in both Chenango and Broome Counties early December 17. Those bans are in place until further notice.

A travel advisory has also issued in Cortland County until noon and the City of Binghamton is under a State of Emergency with City Hall closed December 17.

Owego Town Hall is closed and Supervisor Donald Castellucci says there may be a delay in plowing town roads since staff was having difficulty getting to the highway department.

At 7 a.m., Tioga County Legislative Chair Martha Saurbrey declared a snow emergency. County offices are closed and residents are urged to stay home.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Broome County Executive Jason Garnar issued the travel ban at 5 a.m. December 17 for all county and local roads.

A statement from Garnar's office says: "A travel ban means potentially life-threatening travel conditions exist. Residents should NOT travel in the affected areas. Essential personnel such as Emergency Services and Hospital employees are permitted to go to and from their workplace.

Essential vehicles include the following:

• Hospital and Nursing Home Employees

• Utility Workers

• Any government employee who has been designated “essential” personnel.

• Emergency Vehicles

• Fire Apparatus and Personnel

• Law enforcement vehicles and personnel – including corrections.

• Ambulances and personnel

• Any vehicle or person enroute to or returning from performing a service that is maintaining services or restoring loss of services that could or do threaten life or property if not performed during the time of road closure.

Additionally, county facilities will be closed, Thursday, December 17th , 2020."

The Broome County landfill is closed December 17, even to waste haulers.

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Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Lawrence Wilcox declared a State of Emergency and placed a Travel Ban is in effect until further notice at around 5 a.m. December 17, also closing the Chenango County Office Building for the day.

In a statement, Wilcox says :

This prohibition does not apply to:

Vehicles engaged in snow removal, sanding, salting, clearing and towing operations or those traveling to or from their jobs in relation to these duties

• Medical personnel enroute to or from their offices or hospitals for the treatment of patients

• Public employees designated as essential personnel by their employers or contractors retained by the government to perform emergency related services

• Utility operators and repair personnel

• Volunteers or employees of non-profit organizations providing emergency help associated with disaster relief, recovery, and assistance at the Direction of or with the authorization of the Director of Emergency Management of Chenango County

• Employees of healthcare facilities (hospitals, nursing homes)

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