Governor Hochul Declares State of Emergency as Blizzard is Set to Hit Long Island, New York City and Lower Hudson Valley

State of Emergency Declared for Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and Contiguous Counties

Blizzard Warning Issued for Long Island, New York City and Southern Westchester County; Winter Storm Warnings and Watches Issued for Rest of Hudson Valley

18-24 Inches of Snow Forecast for Long Island and New York City; 12-18 Inches Forecast for the Hudson Valley; 8-12 Inches Forecast for the Capital Region; Widespread 1-6 Inches Forecast for Rest of State

Wind Gusts Have Potential to Reach 60 MPH, Which Could Lead to Whiteout or Even Blizzard-Like Conditions Making Travel Dangerous, Especially in New York City and on Long Island

Governor Activates 100 Members of the National Guard To Support Response Operations and Local Partners Across New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley

Strong Winds Paired With Wet, Heavy Snow Could Also Lead to Power Outages

More Than 5,600 Utility Workers on Standby Across the State to Engage in Damage Assessment, Response, Repair, and Restoration Efforts

New Yorkers Throughout Long Island, New York City and the Hudson Valley Should Avoid Travel Sunday Through Monday and Stay Home; Employers Encouraged To Allow for Remote Work

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

Governor Kathy Hochul today declared a State of Emergency in Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and contiguous counties, and activated the New York National Guard as a blizzard is forecast to hit the lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island, and severe winter weather conditions are expected throughout the rest of the Hudson Valley. Forecasts rapidly worsened Friday night and now indicate 18 to 24 inches of snow with winds potentially gusting at over 60 mph for Long Island and New York City. The Hudson Valley is forecast to see 12 to 18 inches of snow, while the Capital Region could see eight to 12 inches. Other areas statewide will see totals from one to six inches of snow. These blizzard conditions will create extremely dangerous travel conditions, coastal flooding and the potential for power outages.

Beginning Sunday, 100 members of the New York National Guard with 25 vehicles will be staged across the lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island to support Downstate response operations and local partners. Additionally, the State Emergency Operations Center will activate beginning Sunday morning.

“New Yorkers are no strangers to snow and cold weather, but these blizzard-like conditions approaching New York City, Long Island and the lower Mid-Hudson will bring heavy snow and strong winds, with the storm forecasted to impact much of our state,” Governor Hochul said. “As with every weather event, our state agencies are equipped with the resources they need to respond to the developing storm and keep everyone informed. I encourage everyone to take action, stay vigilant and always monitor your local forecast for real-time updates.”

Severe winter weather conditions also are expected throughout the rest of the Hudson Valley, with Winter Storm Warnings already in effect for Northern Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam counties, with between 10 and 15 inches of snow and winds gusting up to 45 mph expected. Winter Storm Watches are in effect for Dutchess, Ulster, Greene and Columbia Counties with six to 12 inches of snow expected with winds gusting up to 45 mph.

New Yorkers should take this storm seriously, prepare now, closely monitor local forecasts and stay home throughout the duration of the storm. On Monday, Long Island Rail Road plans to operate on a Sunday schedule with modifications as necessitated by evolving weather conditions. Metro-North Railroad will run hourly service on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines and weekend service on the Connecticut and Wassaic branches. Subway service changes and delays are expected overnight Sunday into Monday, as express tracks are used to store trains underground during heavy snowfall

All empty commercial vehicles and all tandem tractor trailers will be banned from travel on I-84 and all roads south of I-84, including all Thruway system roads. All other commercial vehicles will be restricted to the right lane on I-84 and all roadways south of I-84, including all Thruway system roads in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties. These restrictions will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 22, and end when conditions allow.

The National Weather Service has already begun to issue Winter Storm Watches and New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and watch for updates issued by the National Weather Service. View a complete listing of weather watches, warnings and other alerts here.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones, and register for real-time weather and emergency alerts by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

• Monitor the forecast for your local area and areas you may be travelling to.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• If you must travel, 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 cellphone 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. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
• The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.
• It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit.
• Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, to safely clear several lanes at one time.
• Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions.
• Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it's operating.

Power Outage Safety Tips

• Do not go near or touch fallen or sagging power lines: treat all wires as live and dangerous. Keep children and pets away from fallen electric wires. Never touch any lines or any items that are in contact with lines.
• Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
• Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
• If heat goes out during a storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

To Report an Electric Outage, Call:

Central Hudson: Electric: 800-527-2714 or Gas: 800-942-8274

Con Ed: Electric: 800-752-6633 or Gas: 800-752-6633

Corning Gas: 800-834-2134

Liberty Utilities (St. Lawrence Gas) Corp.: 800-673- 3301

National Fuel Gas: 1-800-444-3130

National Grid:

• Electric: 800-867-5222
• Long Island (gas): 1-800-490-0045
• Metro NYC (gas): 1-718-643-4050
• Upstate (gas): 1-800-892-2345

NYSEG: Electric: 800-572-1131 or Gas: 800-572-1121

O&R: Electric: 877-434-4100 or Gas: 800-533-5325

PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075

RG&E: Electric: 800-743-1701 or Gas: 800-743-1702