If you need Shelter or a Warming Center - call 211 for the most up to date options
Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable.
911 - life threatening emergencies, including life threatening medical emergencies
211 - 24/7/365 connection to community resources across WNY - non-emergency resources for connection to basic needs and human service agencies
311 (Buffalo) - City of Buffalo Municipal Helpline - centralized access to city services. Register complaints, get information and access non-emergency police services. To File a Report
311 (Niagara Falls) - City of Niagara Falls Municipal Helpline - centralized access to DPW and Code Enforcement. Register complaints and get information.
988 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - mental health and crisis support available 24/7 nationwide
National Grid - 800-867-5222 for power outages & issues
NYSEG - electricity 800-572-1131, natural gas 800-572-1121
Winter and Extreme Cold Resources
NYS Department of Health, Extreme Cold
Ready.gov, Winter Weather - includes information on preparing for winter weather, how to stay safe during winter weather, generator safety, plus more
Let's Get Ready for Winter Weather Newsletter
Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes
- Frozen Pipes - info from the Red Cross about thawing to prevent/reduce damage. Please note that the Red Cross cannot directly assist anyone with broken pipes or damaged heating.
- Red Cross Flood Preparedness & recovery guide
- Red Cross Flood Preparedness Checklist - English
- Red Cross Flood Preparedness Checklist - Spanish
- Get important things off the basement floor
- Check your sump pump, make sure it's operational
- Ask for guidance from your landlord or a friend about preparing your basement and utilities (furnace, water heater, electrical box) for flooding in the basement
Food
- Food Safety after a power outage - written for restaurants; works for anyone!
- 211 WNY Erie Co. Food Resources - check with your local food pantry or soup kitchen before traveling - some may be closed due to a weather event
- FeedMore WNY - pantry locator - or call 716-822-2002, M-F 8a-4p if you need help getting food - call 211 outside of those hours.
- National Grid Food Reimbursement - customers who experience an electricty outage at their National Grid service address that lasts at least 72 hours (3 days) are eligible to request reimbursement for loss of food and/or prescription medication. Request for reimbursement must be filed within 14 days of the 72-hour outage mark, regardless of current outrage status. More info and form here, call 315-428-3370, or email foodloss@nationalgrid.com
- NYSEG Food Reimbursement - Customers experiencing 72 consecutive hours – i.e., three straight days – or more of service outage in connection with a declared widespread prolonged outage may be eligible for two separate categories of financial relief, the Extended Outage Credit and Food/Prescription Medication Spoilage Reimbursement. More info and form here, or call 866-577-3787
- Little Free Pantry Finder - small stand alone pantries that are available 24/7 and may or may not be stocked due to the storm
- Food Stamp Reimbursement is available for those who have food stamps and lost food. Contact Food For All at 716-882-7705 or SNAP at 716-858-7239
Travel
- Metro Bus and Rail metro.nfta.com
- Buffalo Airport https://www.buffaloairport.com/
- 511NY traffic, travel and transit information https://511ny.org/
Buffalo City Service Updates
- City of Buffalo Civic Alerts Resources page
- Submit a ticket to the City of Buffalo: https://www.buffalony.gov/470/Self-Service-Option
- Buffalo Snow Plowing Status
- Sign up for BuffAlert text alerts, text your zip code to 38276
Other Resources by Category:
Donations
- Buffalo Mutual Aid
- Code Blue Shelters - WNY Coalition for the Homeless
- United Way Community Resilience Fund
Volunteer Opportunities
- Buffalo Snow Brigade - volunteer to help shovel out the City of Good Neighbors
- VolunteerWNY
