The Angola rest stop on the New York State Thruway is fully operational after travelers were stranded there overnight.
The Thruway Authority said drivers had to pull into the service area due to heavy snowfall, strong winds and freezing temperatures.
The rest stop was without restroom or restaurant access for a time early Tuesday morning due to a frozen water valve. Bottled water was available and water was restored later in the morning.
Joe Chenelly, the national executive director for AMVETS, said on social media that he was among “about 40” people snowed in at the stop early Tuesday.
About 40 of us are stuck at/in the Angola Travel Plaza on the Thruway. No bathrooms. Snow deep throughout the lot and access road. Too many trucks to be able to get out. pic.twitter.com/FuvLs1DdJd
— Joe Chenelly 🇺🇸 (@jchenelly) January 20, 2026
The authority said the majority of travelers were able to leave around 8 or 9 a.m.