County Executive Asking Residents to Stay off Roads, Non-Essential Businesses to Close until Snow Cleared

Erie County Executive Brenton Davis is asking residents to stay off the roads and non-essential businesses to remain closed until the snow can be cleared.

The message came during a news conference Sunday afternoon at the county's public safety building.

Private contractors are being hired to help clear the snow, and the county is contracting with other municipalities including Chautauqua and Venango counties for snow removal equipment and resources.

American Rescue Plan Act money is being used to help provide relief, Davis said.

The county executive also announced the Erie County Courthouse will remain closed Monday and Tuesday. Many schools have already closed Monday and Tuesday.

Davis is asking all non-essential businesses to close in an effort to keep people off the roads.

The Pennsylvania National Guard is also on the ground under the governor's order to help provide emergency relief. Its primary goals are to rescue stranded people, help people in urgent need of medical attention and assist with getting essential employees to work.

Warming shelters are available at Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, CMA Church in North East and in Wattsburg, Davis said. The National Guard can assist with transportation, if needed, by calling 211.

The county is asking residents to only call 911 for life-saving emergencies.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll also advised the public to not travel unless absolutely necessary, asking for Sunday and Monday to restore the county's transportation network.

Carroll said a lot of progress has been made in the last 36 hours, and PennDOT has brought in resources from across the state to assist with snow removal.