Buffalo public works crews were preparing as early as Friday for anticipated winds on Sunday that forecasters say pose a serious damage risk.
Mayor Byron Brown held a briefing inside his office, acknowedging that his personnel have been in communication with power companies and with Erie County officials, who were also making preparations for winds that, forecasters say, could blow steadily around 30 to 35 miles per hour but gust as fast as 75 miles per hour.
Winds of that strength, officials warn, could down tree limbs and power lines, push loose and detached objects and, in some cases, even topple whole trees.
"We do expect that there will be tree damage," said Andy Rabb, Deputy Parks Commissioner. "The winds are forecasted to be strong enough that it could take healthy trees. It really is a matter of how the winds hit them."
By Friday afternoon, public works crews were removing street banners that hang between light poles to prevent them from being blown down. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning from 7 a.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. Monday. The strongest winds are expected to blow through Western New York between noon and 10 p.m. Sunday.
"Crews are readying chain saws and we're mobilizing crews to be available in the event this storm does cause some damage," said Acting Public Works Commissioner Michael Finn. "We're also discussing with contractors, to make sure they're available in the event this becomes up to the point thta we need to mobilize contractors."
Monday garbage pickup remains scheduled, city officials say, but they discourage people from placing their totes outside in advance on Sunday, as the winds are expected to be strong enough to topple and push them.
