Governor Hochul Declares State Of Emergency In New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York ahead of the potentially deadly storm expected to hit this weekend. As many New Yorkers brace for the bad weather, the declaration will allow resources to be moved to the parts of the state hit hardest, as needed.

The state of emergency covers 15 counties - Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, and Wyoming.

According to the National Weather Service, the snowstorm could bring heavy lake-effect snow and strong winds,

Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph early in the event will diminish somewhat later Saturday night. The strongest winds will be Saturday into Sunday. Blizzard conditions will be possible at times, especially late Saturday night through Sunday morning.

Some areas could get up to two feet of snow. New Yorkers must take the threat seriously.

State Of Emergency Declared In 15 Counties Ahead Of Massive Snow Storm

The impending storm is expected to bring blizzard-like conditions to the communities located along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The storm is expected to pummel certain communities,

Areas adjacent to both lakes are forecast to be impacted by strong winds with gusts up to 70 mph that will likely cause power outages, freezing cold wind chills, and lake effect snow with a foot or more possible in some areas. Blizzard-like, whiteout conditions are possible, especially Saturday night and much of Sunday, and wind chills are forecast to dip into the single digits on Saturday night and remain there through mid-week.

 

A Travel Ban On Trucks Is In Place For Parts Of New York

Of course with bad weather comes travel bans. Starting at 9 am this morning, Saturday, January 13, the New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Thruway Authority is issuing a ban on empty trucks and trailers and all tandem trucks. The ban applies to trucks traveling on the following routes:

- I-90 Exit 46 to the PA line
- I-190 (south of the North Grand Island Bridge)
- Buffalo Skyway
- U.S. 219
- NY 400
- I-190 (north of the North Grand Island Bridge)
- I-290
- I-990
- Kensington Expressway (NY 33)
- I-86 in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County

During the storm, please stay home if you don't need to drive.

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