The snow emergency that has closed schools, businesses and government buildings throughout Erie County as flakes continue to fall on feet already on the ground hasn't slowed the workload for area first responders.

Since it began early Friday morning, the lake effect storm has dumped several feet of snow in some areas. The snow fell at such an unrelenting pace that street crews have been unable to keep pace. Hundreds of holiday travelers were stranded on major highways Friday like i-90 and had to abandon their cars.

Lake County offices are closed Monday and drivers are asked to stay off the roads after a state of emergency was declared in response to heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures from a winter storm. The decision was made late Sunday by Lake County commissioners after lake-effect snow blanketed parts of county.