Governor Hochul Provides Update on State's Response Efforts to Winter Storm Impacting Holiday Travel this Weekend

 

Statewide State of Emergency Now In Effect as Winter Storm Moves Through New York

NYS Thruway (I-90) CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC between Exit 46 (Rochester, I-390) and the Pennsylvania Border; Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge Border Crossings All Closed to All Inbound Traffic

Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans Counties Implement Local Travel Bans, Only Authorized Vehicles Can Travel as Blizzard Conditions Persist in Western New York

More than 110,000 Without Power as of Friday Morning, with 31,000 Outages in Erie County and Nearly 20,000 Outages in Monroe County

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers Avoid Travel Friday and Saturday as Temperatures Drop Across the State Friday, Causing Icy Road Conditions

 Governor Kathy Hochul today provided an update to New Yorkers as a winter storm brought significant rain, snow and high winds across the State overnight, and blizzard-like conditions in Western New York. On Thursday, Governor Hochul declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of the event, which went into effect at 6 a.m. Friday. Governor Hochul advised New Yorkers planning to travel this weekend to reconsider as a significant drop in temperatures Friday afternoon will cause significant flash freezing and icy road conditions.

"This storm has brought a bit of everything we anticipated and there are thousands of our first responders, emergency management personnel and utility crews out working in the elements to keep New Yorkers safe today," Governor Hochul said. "I'm asking everyone to stay off the roads this evening as conditions will worsen when temperatures drop across the state later today. Bundle up, stay indoors, and stay safe this weekend."

Today and continuing into Saturday morning, much of the state is expected to see strong winds up to 60 miles per hour or more as temperatures will drop quickly and significantly, by more than 35 degrees in some regions, causing flash freezing, below zero wind chills and icy road conditions. This has already impacted conditions in Western New York and is expected to impact the rest of the state by this evening's commute. Winds on Friday and Saturday will be strong enough to cause downed trees and power lines. Lakeshore flooding off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario is possible in flood-prone areas due to rain, snowmelt and strong winds.

Tonight and continuing through Monday, lake effect snow will impact the Buffalo and Watertown areas off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and strong winds are expected to cause blowing and drifting snow with near zero visibility and localized blizzard conditions. The Buffalo and Watertown areas could see up to three feet of snow through Sunday night. Below normal, freezing temperatures with low wind chills are expected to persist through Monday for upstate regions.

Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to take all necessary precautions, if traveling this week, and plan ahead for significant weather impacts.  

Multiple Blizzard Warnings, Coastal Flood Warnings, Lakeshore Flood Warnings, High Wind Warnings, Wind Chill Warnings, and Winter Storm Warnings are all in effect for this weekend in various counties across the state. For a complete list of weather watches, warnings, and advisories across New York, visit the National Weather Service website.

Safety Tips

Winter Travel Safety

The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, review these safety tips:

• When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary.
• Make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving.
• Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars.
• Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children.
• Make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
• If you have a cell phone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling.

Extreme Temps

• Be aware of wind chill - wind in combination with the actual temperature - that can cause an increase of heat loss to the human body.
• Dress appropriately and avoid staying in the cold too long.
• Wear a hat and gloves when appropriate with layers of clothing. Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold.
• Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stay active to maintain body heat.
• Take frequent breaks from the cold.
• If signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear, get out of the cold, slowly warm the individual and seek medical assistance:
• Frostbite: Symptoms include loss of feeling, a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
• Hypothermia: Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, and drowsiness.

Heavy Exertion

Heavy exertion, such as shoveling snow, clearing debris or pushing a car, increase the risk of a heart attack. Follow these tips to stay safe after the storm:

• Stay warm, dress warm and SLOW DOWN when working outdoors.
• Take frequent rests to avoid over-exertion
• If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain in your jaw radiating down your arm — STOP and seek help immediately.

Power Outages

Winter storms can cause power outages. Review these safety tips before the lights go out so you know what to do in an emergency:

• Call your utility provider to notify them of the outage.
• Avoid all downed power lines and report them to your utility provider for repair; assume all downed lines have live electricity.
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting - candles pose the risk of fire.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors shut to keep food from spoiling.  When in doubt, throw it out!
• Do not use a charcoal grill or generator indoors and do not use a gas stove for heat-they could give off harmful levels of carbon monoxide.
• Turn off major appliances to prevent damage from a possible surge when the power comes back on-keep one light turned on so you know when power returns.

Home Heating

Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. Keep loved ones safe by following these important steps:

• Keep all combustibles at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Always plug appliances including space heaters directly into a receptacle. Never plug appliances into a power strip or extension cord.
• Make sure there is a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

For all non-emergency service needs before, during or after a storm, call 211 or visit 211nys.org.

For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Safety Tips web page at www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.