Cayuga County officials have declared a state of emergency for the county due to severe blowing and drifting snow.

Starting 5:20 p.m. Monday, all roads in Cayuga County are closed due to severe weather except for emergency travel, according to a new release from the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office.

The Auburn Enlarged City School District will delay the opening of its facilties by one hour Tuesday morning because of predictions that the wind chill may be 20 degree below zero. Parents are asked to use the delay to carpool students who walk to school.

Port Byron, Moravia, Skaneateles and Weedsport Central Schools also are on a one-hour delay for Tuesday. Union Springs and Cato-Meridian are on a two-hour delay on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, because of the high winds and blowing snow, Seneca County Sheriff Leo Connolly has declared a state of emergency effective 3:30 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a snow and blowing snow advisory which is in effect until 12 a.m. A wind chill advisory is in effect until noon. Tuesday.

Cayuga County law enforcement authorities report that there are multiple accidents because of visibility issues, and that there are not enough patrol cars on the road to respond quickly to all the calls for service. The New York State Police in Auburn said they are not sure which accidents have been responded to because of the chaos on the roads.

Seneca County authorities reported that the area of Route 96 in the vicinity of the Varick town barn is not passable due to car accidents, and there was an accident involving two tractor trailers on Route 96 in Ovid.