Drivers in Central New York had to deal with snow from a coastal storm and lake effect snowfall for most of the day on Wednesday. Wet, slushy roads had drivers slipping and sliding - especially on the hills around Syracuse.
"It only takes a little bit for this hill and they come sliding down," said Lance Lapointe as watched for cars on the hill near an Eastwood apartment building. "They try to turn into the side of the driveway and smash into the side of the hill."
The non stop snow was blamed for hundreds of disabled vehicles and accident calls that came into the 911 center. Clay Russell from Pascarella's Towing Service got a first hand look at many of those vehicles.
Russell had to use his winch to pull four cars back on the road on Wednesday including a Toyota Corolla that was in a ditch off South Bay Road in Cicero. Russell says weather like this keeps him on his toes.
"The wet slushy snow makes it difficult for all us drivers driving tow trucks," said Russell. "Tractions tough, more winch outs, lots of people off the roads."
The snow was making travel difficult all over the country - even for people who weren't behind the wheel.
Troy Mintel took a break at Syracuse's Regional Transportation Center on Wednesday night and tried to sort out his tickets. Mintel took a bus out of Key West on Monday and doesn't expect to get to Jamestown in Western New York until sometime on Thursday.
"I'm worn out. I really am. Greyhound has been pretty good about making sure we had food vouchers and stuff like that. only problem is - you don't have a bed to sleep in. So I'm looking forward to that," said Mintel.
Veteran tow truck drivers said they often get the most calls during the afternoon commute hours as the sun and the temperature start to go down.
