Central New York has endured more than 11 feet of snow so far this season.
The snowfall total approached 140 inches late last week, and it appears that the Syracuse area will break the all-time Upstate NY of 199.4 inches which fell on Buffalo in 1976-77.
The snow blanketing the village prompted Liverpool Mayor Gary White to request that residents help clear sidewalks and fire hydrants.
“Due to the overwhelming amount of snow we’ve already received this winter, I’m asking all village residents who own a snow blower if they can help maintain the sidewalk area in their neighborhoods,” White said in a printed statement. “Also, if a fire hydrant is on your property or in front of your house, the [Liverpool] Fire Department appreciates your keeping it shoveled and clear.”
In January, the Moyers Corners Fire Department had to abruptly evacuate a fire scene in Clay when firefighters found the two nearest hydrants frozen beneath the snow. It took several minutes for firefighters to shovel out and thaw the hydrants so they could continue knocking down the blaze in a house on Oriole Path, according to Battalion 1 Fire Chief Steve Zaferakis.
DPW efforts
Village DPW crews have been working overtime to keep up with the persistent accumulation. Superintendent Bill Asmus said his workers shovel out hydrants in the business district whenever possible, but the streets and sidewalks are their priority.
They’ve been removing truck fulls of snow from the streets and dumping it at the former municipal lot on lower First Street, now owned by JGB Properties, and at the DPW Garage on Onondaga Lake Parkway.
The DPW employs five full-time workers along with the superintendent, but one employee is presently recovering from an injury and unable to work.
Asmus is worried about how the heavy winter workload is affecting his crew.
“I’m somewhat concerned about the wear and tear on the guys,” Asmus said. “They’ve been out at 2 or 3 in morning almost every night since November, and those same three guys have to collect the garbage and the recyclables every week, so that’s a lot of hours. It can wear on you.”
White applauded the DPW’s extra efforts.
“Our DPW has been working diligently to keep up with the plowing, salting and sidewalk clearing as well as keeping up with all the other services they provide,” the mayor said.
Asmus asked residents to be patient and to be careful at intersections where high snow banks limit visibility down the cross street.
While most local folks consider this the snowiest winter ever, Asmus said 1992-93 was worse. The Syracuse seasonal snowfall record was set that year when 192.1 inches fell.
This year, there’s a good chance the area’s total snowfall will top 200 inches, more than 16.5 feet of frosty flakes.
