Governor Tom Wolf deployed 21 Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) troops to help local agencies during the severe winter storm. The northwestern part of the state including Erie is experiencing record-breaking snowfall over the past several days.
On Wednesday, the snowfall in Erie exceeded 5 feet since Christmas Eve, breaking city and state records. According to the National Weather Service, “a lake-effect snowstorm hammered Erie” and it is expected to continue.
So far in December through Tuesday, Erie recorded 99.5 inches (8.2 feet) of snowfall. It crushed its previous record of 66.9 inches (5.6 feet) in December 1989. The National Weather Service warned of additional snow accumulations of two to four inches due to lake-effect snowstorm. Travelling will be very dangerous or impossible in the region.
In a statement, Gov. Wolf said the PNG will provide a number of high-clearance all military terrain vehicles. The PNG members will assist with medical emergency and law enforcement response.
Pennsylvania officials’ primary concern is the safety and well-being of people
Additionally, they will help in checking the safety and wellness or residents, transporting essential emergency services personnel, and assigning a liaison to the Erie County Emergency Operations Center.
