Snowstorm forces game in Buffalo to be relocated
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Buffalo Bills have been snowed out by Mother Nature.
The NFL has chosen to relocate the Bills’ home game against the New York Jets on Sunday because of a severe lake-effect snowstorm that has paralyzed much of the region over the past week, league spokesman Michael Signora said in an email Thursday.
The only questions remaining are where the game will be played, and on what day.
“Due to public safety concerns in light of the ongoing weather emergency in Western New York, Sunday’s Jets-Bills game will not be played in Buffalo,” Signora said. He added more information would be provided as soon as possible.
“We have been in contact with the public authorities and we realize the importance of all available public safety resources being available for the community at this difficult time,” Signora said.
The decision comes as communities south and east of Buffalo – including the Bills home in Orchard Park – have been blanketed by more than 5 feet of snow since Monday. Snow continued to fall on Thursday, with projected accumulations ranging between 1 and 3 feet.
Earlier in the day, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it would be difficult for the game to be played on schedule.
“If you ask me today, right now, my sense is it’s impractical to do the game because it would jeopardize public safety,” Cuomo said. “Everybody would love to see a Bills game go forward, but I think even more, everybody wants to make sure public safety comes first.”
Cuomo spoke after spending the past day touring the affected region.
The Bills can’t even hold practices because their players are snowed in. And those who can get out can’t get to the team’s facility because of a driving ban in place in Orchard Park and many of its neighboring communities.
As a result, the Bills canceled practice for a second straight day Thursday.
There’s a possibility the game would be played on Monday or as late as Tuesday to allow the Bills time to practice.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The NHL has postponed the Sabres’ home game against the New York Rangers tonight due to a severe lake-effect storm hitting the Buffalo region.
The league made the announcement Thursday and said a makeup date has not yet been determined.
Though downtown Buffalo, where the Sabres play, is mostly unaffected by the storm, there are numerous driving bans throughout the region which make it difficult for fans to get to the arena.