Buffalo Residents Frustrated as Mayor's Promise to Plow Side Streets Falls Short

Neighbors say many side streets remain unplowed despite the mayor's assurances

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Residents in Buffalo, New York are expressing frustration after the city's mayor, Sean Ryan, promised to have all side streets plowed by Monday evening, but many streets remained impassable the following day. Several neighbors reported being stuck on unplowed roads, forcing some to cancel appointments. The mayor's office has responded that 170 pieces of equipment were deployed and that cleanup efforts are ongoing, but some residents say they have seen little evidence of plowing on certain streets.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges cities face in keeping up with snow removal, especially on side streets, and the importance of clear communication between city leadership and residents about service delivery. It also raises questions about the city's snow removal capabilities and whether the mayor's promises were overly ambitious.

The details

On Monday, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the city would ensure all side streets were plowed by the evening, a departure from the usual few-day wait residents have experienced. However, several neighbors reported the next day that many streets remained unplowed, forcing some to get stuck and cancel appointments. The mayor's office has stated that 170 pieces of equipment were deployed and that cleanup efforts are ongoing, but some residents say they have seen little evidence of plowing on certain streets like Roosevelt Avenue.

  • On Monday, Mayor Sean Ryan promised all side streets would be plowed by the evening.
  • On Tuesday morning, several residents reported their streets were still unplowed.

The players

Sean Ryan

The mayor of Buffalo, New York who promised to have all side streets plowed by Monday evening.

Sandy Chilano

A Buffalo resident who said her street was not plowed as promised, forcing her to cancel a doctor's appointment.

Melvin

A Buffalo resident who said he had not seen any plows on Roosevelt Avenue near Bailey Avenue.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What made me upset was yesterday I called 311, they said 'Oh, we got it.' It's just the point of don't say you're gonna do something and don't do it.”

— Sandy Chilano, Buffalo Resident (WKBW)

“I haven't seen a plow at all...I deal with this every year when we get this kind of snow. If they came by here, there would be some evidence of it alongside the road.”

— Melvin, Buffalo Resident (WKBW)

What’s next

The mayor's office has stated that cleanup efforts are ongoing, and as additional snow enters the city, crews will make additional passes where needed to ensure streets are safe. Residents will be watching closely to see if the city can follow through on its promises.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges cities face in meeting residents' expectations for snow removal, especially on side streets. It underscores the importance of clear communication between city leadership and the public, as well as the need for cities to have the resources and capabilities to effectively respond to major winter storms.