10/12/2026
Today marks 20 years since the October Surprise Storm of 2006, a reminder of just how quickly Western New York weather can change. Many of our Lancaster Fire Department members reported to our stations for standby and ended up staying for days, ready to serve our community.
One of the biggest challenges was how unexpected the storm was. Leaves were still on the trees, and many homes weren’t prepared for winter conditions.
As we head into the colder months, take some time this week to prepare your home:
🍂 Clean gutters and downspouts
🔥 Have your furnace checked and ready
🏠 Inspect your roof and vents
💧 Test your sump pump
🚨 Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
❄️ Get snowblowers, shovels, and snow brushes ready
As we’ve said before, this isn’t a debate about who has seen worse weather or a reminder that we “live in WNY” and should be “used to it”.
Our job as firefighters is to protect life and property, and that includes helping our neighbors prepare before severe weather strikes. Take the time you would spend coming up with a witty comment and use it to dig out your snow brush 🙂
Twenty years later, the lesson remains the same: A little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.