UPDATE: Fulton, N.Y. is facing a major recovery effort as residents dig out from a staggering 28 inches of snow that blanketed the city from Friday into Saturday morning. The city has officially lifted its snow emergency, but the impact of the storm is still being felt as crews continue to clear roads.
Residents reported being “buried” in snow, with Sixth Ward City Councilor Brandi Clonch noting that the snow was “definitely over 2 feet,” reaching mid-thigh for her at 5’10”. The National Weather Service confirmed that 28 inches of lake-effect snow fell in Fulton by early Friday night, with no updates available on overnight accumulations.
As the storm raged, some locals found themselves stranded, with Tawny Moeller, a Fulton resident, describing fire hydrants completely covered and street signs half-hidden. “In some spots, the snow is as high as my hips,” Moeller shared, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
By Saturday morning, the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) had plowed all streets multiple times, according to Commissioner Charles J. Smith III. “Our DPW crews have done an exceptional job getting our streets cleaned up,” Clonch stated. While streets are narrower, they are cleared and passable.
Mayor Jim Rice reported that city crews completed a nearly 24-hour shift around 8 a.m. Saturday and will return at midnight to continue cleanup efforts. “Our expectation was residents would be cleaning out,” Rice explained, noting that snow pushed from private driveways back into the street required additional plowing.
Rice emphasized the importance of the snow emergency, which allowed crews to effectively clear roads by removing parked vehicles. “We’d turn onto a street and there’d be cars parked in it, and we’d have to back out,” he explained. Police officers went door to door, helping to ensure that plows could safely navigate the streets.
While the snow emergency has now been lifted, residents are advised that garbage and recycling pickups have been rescheduled for Monday and will cover the entire east side of the Oswego River. Rice reported no significant issues for police or fire crews responding during the storm, although they did respond to an accident caused by the weather conditions.
As cleanup continues, drivers in Fulton are urged to remain cautious on the roads and to give space to snowplows and emergency vehicles. The community is coming together through this challenging weather event, and local officials are committed to restoring normalcy as quickly as possible.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops in Fulton.
