Most of Thruway open after massive NY snowfall
By Associated Press
Nov 22, 2014 11:05 AM CST
Firefighters from Cheektowaga and Depew assist an elderly patient from from Garden Gate Health Care Facility to the Appletree Mall in Cheektowaga, N.Y., Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. About 180 patients from the facility were moved after officials questioned sustainability of the the roof from the snowfall....   (Associated Press)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Drivers are now free to exit the New York State Thruway in the areas pummeled earlier this week by up to 7 feet of snow.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo had reopened a 132-mile stretch of the closed thoroughfare on Friday. But drivers would have had to cross the Pennsylvania border before being able to leave it because ramps remained closed along the westernmost 75 miles. That's the stretch that runs parallel Lake Erie's shore.

Thruway officials reopened those exits on Saturday with the lifting of several travel bans.

Meanwhile, homeowners continued to clear snow from their roofs ahead of rain that threatened to increase the strain on structures.

Officials also mobilized pumps, boats and sandbags in anticipation of flooding. Forecasters say temperatures are expected to be near 60 degrees on Monday.

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