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.

Due to the inclement weather and high call volume, Erie County Public Safety is urging Erie to only call 911 in life threatening emergencies.

As lake effect snow pummels the northwest corner of the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania State Police has handled over 400 calls in the past 24 hours. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) said troopers are working alongside the Pennsylvania National Guard.

A Local Disaster Emergency has been declared for all of Erie County. Erie County Executive Brenton Davis issued the declaration the evening of Friday, Nov. 29 after severe winter weather caused several road closures,

An intense lake effect is forecast through the rest of the weekend, causing as much as 1 to 2 feet of additional snow in some areas.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency on Saturday morning to support response efforts in Northwest Pennsylvania after several feet of lake-effect snow fell in the region.

Some portions of Erie County were under almost 3 feet of snow Saturday in the middle of the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend, with a forecast of frigid temperatures to start off the week. Pennsylvania Gov.