Governor Hochul Expands State of Emergency Statewide in Response to Lake Effect Snow and High Winds

Lake Effect Snow To Continue Impacting Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York and North Country Regions Throughout the Week

Hazardous Travel Conditions With Near Whiteout Conditions Continue Tuesday, Especially in the Syracuse-Metro Area; New Yorkers in Affected Areas Should Avoid Travel and Work From Home if Possible

Non-Essential State Employees Who Live or Work in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagara, Wyoming, Oswego, Cayuga, Onondaga, Cortland, Madison, Wayne, Jefferson, Lewis and Oneida Counties Directed To Telecommute on Tuesday Where Possible

Several Road Closures and Empty Tractor Trailer and Tandem Bans Remain in Effect

More Than 7,500 Utility Workers Engaged in Damage Assessment, Response, Repair and Restoration Efforts

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Kathy Hochul today expanded New York’s State of Emergency statewide as an intense winter storm continues to impact much of Upstate New York. Following periods of ice and rain throughout the state during the overnight hours, a long duration lake effect snow system moved into the state Monday morning, with winds as high as 70 mph in Western New York causing whiteout conditions. This lake effect snow is expected to continue off the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario for the majority of the week, and while winds are expected to subside to 30-40 mph, whiteout conditions remain a possibility in parts of Western and Central New York on Tuesday, especially in the Syracuse-Metro area. New Yorkers in these areas should avoid all unnecessary travel, follow the direction of local authorities and telecommute whenever possible.

“As winter storms continue to impact several regions across Upstate New York, my message to New Yorkers remains the same: monitor local forecasts, avoid travel, and stay prepared,” Governor Hochul said. “Plow crews, emergency management teams and utility personnel continue to work to keep New Yorkers safe, and we stand ready to deploy additional resources anywhere they are needed throughout the storm.”

As storms progress throughout Monday, snowfall rates will increase. Off of Lake Erie, the heaviest snows will focus east to southeast of the lake, with the highest snow totals forecast for the Chautauqua Ridge area. Through Wednesday night, areas throughout the Chautauqua Ridge and southern Erie County could see between two and three feet of snow. Buffalo and points north could see more than a foot of snow. Snowfall rates will likely exceed 1.5 inches an hour and may reach three inches in certain locations at times.

Lake effect snow off of Lake Ontario will begin to shift south from Watertown across the Tug Hill Monday and begin to impact the Syracuse Metro-Area during the overnight hours. Through Wednesday night areas within the Tug Hill Plateau and the Syracuse Metro-Area could see between two and three feet of lake effect snow. Snowfall rates will likely exceed 1.5 inches an hour and may reach three inches an hour locally at times.

Strong winds will continue throughout the duration of these storms, with widespread 40–45 mph gusts expected and isolated gusts potentially reaching 50 mph. The strongest gusts are expected Tuesday morning and will decrease through the day Wednesday.

Tree damage and isolated power outages are possible where the strongest gusts occur. Gusty winds combined with snow are expected to create dangerous driving conditions with significantly limited visibility and the potential for snow squalls and/or blowing snow.

Due to these conditions, Governor Hochul directed all non-essential state employees who live or work in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagaraand Wyoming Counties to be sent home at 10 a.m. Monday. On Tuesday, non-essential state employees who live or work in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagara, Wyoming, Oswego, Cayuga, Onondaga, Cortland, Madison, Wayne, Jefferson, Lewis and Oneida Counties are being directed to telecommute where possible.

Road closures are currently in place in the following areas:

• State Route 80 is closed in both directions between Pickle Hill Road and Spring Street in the town of Minden, Montgomery County due to trees on wires.
• State Route 266 is closed in both directions between Grand Island Boulevard to Sawyer Avenue in the town of Tonawanda, Erie County due to flooding.
• The Buffalo Skyway (State Route 5) is closed in both directions between I-190 to NY-179 in the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna, Erie County due to high winds.

An empty tractor trailer and tandem ban is in effect for the following roadways:

Thruway

• I-90 (Thruway) Exit 46 (Rochester – Corning – I-390) to Pennsylvania State Line
• I-190 (Niagara Thruway): From I-90 to Grand Island Bridge

DOT Highways

• I-190 (Niagara Expressway) from Grand Island Bridge to Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge
• I-290: From I-190 to I-90
• I-990: From I-290 to NY Route. 263 Millersport Highway
• NY Route 400: From I-90 to NY Route 16
• US Route 219: From I-90 to NY Route 39
• I-86: From PA Line to I-390

Numerous Winter Storm Warnings and Watches, Winter Weather Advisories, High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service. New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.