Extreme cold triggers state of emergency for Allegany County. Where to get warm

With plunging temperatures and the threat of lake effect snowfall, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency Monday night for eight Western New York counties, including Allegany.

New York is experiencing its lowest temperatures of the winter season. The extreme cold in Western New York and the North Country is making it feel like between 0 and -25 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The deep freeze is expected to continue through Wednesday, with temperatures in Andover, Wellsville, Belmont and Houghton dropping as low as -9 degrees.

The National Weather Service said the sun will be out but it won't do much to raise the temperature in Wellsville where the high will be around 10 on Wednesday.

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Wind gusts of 15-20 miles per hour could result in some blowing and drifting snow, forecasters said.

Warming stations opened in Allegany County

There are numerous warming stations available in Allegany County, where residents can get a break from the frigid conditions.

Here is where they are set up:

  • Almond 20th Century Club Library, 49 Main St.: Tuesday-Friday 1-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-3

  • Andover Free Library, 40 Main St.: Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • Angelica Free Library, 55 W. Main St.: Tuesday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Wednesday 1-7 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday 3-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • Belfast Public Library, 75 S. Main St.: Monday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 3-7 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

  • Belmont Literary and Historical Library, 2 Willets Ave.: Monday and Friday 1-5 p.m., Tuesday 1-7 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • Bolivar Free Library, 390 Main St.: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 6-8 p.m., Tuesday and Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

  • Canaseraga, Essential Club Library, 11 Pratt St.: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 2-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • Cuba Circulating Library, 39 E. Main St.: Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

  • Fillmore, Wide Awake Club Library, 22 N. Genesee St.: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

  • Friendship Library, 44 W Main St.: Tuesday-Saturday 12-5 p.m.

  • Genesee Library, 8351 State Route 417: Monday and Tuesday 12-5 p.m., Wednesday 12-7 p.m., Thursday 2-7 p.m.

  • Richburg Colonial Library, 160 Main St.: Monday and Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 3-7 p.m.

  • Rushford Free Library, 9012 Main St.: Monday and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 1-6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

  • Scio Memorial Library, 3980 Main St.: Tuesday 1-7 p.m., Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • Wellsville, David A. Howe Public Library, 155 N. Main St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • Whitesville Public Library, 500 Main St.: Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday 2-6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

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In addition to the libraries, warming stations are available at the KonXions United Methodist Church, 7 Park Circle, Belmont, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Family Center, Merton Avenue, Belfast, from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Cuba Memorial Hospital, 140 W Main St., Cuba, through Wednesday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Enter through Urgent Care and follow the signs.

The "What God is Doing in Friendship" alliance of churches is opening a warming center upon request through Wednesday at its Mission House location in the former St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, offices and rectory at 28-32 E. Main St. in Friendship. Telephone reservations may be made at (585) 973-1013.

"We encourage residents to take advantage of these facilities if they need a warm and safe place during the extreme cold weather," the Allegany County Office of Emergency Management said in a press release.

"Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who have stepped up to support our community during this challenging time," the county emergency office added.

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Allegany County likely to miss lake effect snowstorm

Hochul's emergency designation, which also includes Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties, warns of "significant" lake effect snow in areas east of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

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In Western New York, one to two feet of snow are expected off Lake Erie in South Buffalo and areas farther south, while downtown Buffalo may see up to a foot.

Lake effect snow is not expected to be a major factor in Allegany County, with the National Weather Service saying a half-inch is possible Tuesday night in some areas.

New Yorkers may sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert − a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Allegany County libraries open warming centers, extreme cold persists