Rochester _ The Rochester Fire Department reminds residents to stay off the roads, hours after responding to the first storm-related crash.

A car struck a pole overnight on Snipatuit Road, the department reports. Fortunately, the operator was not injured, but the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving in blizzard conditions. Conditions are only expected to worsen as the day progresses. 

“If you do not need to be on the roads, stay home,’’ the department reports on its Facebook page. “If you do have to drive, drive carefully with speeds well below the posted limits.’’