ALBANY –
Governor Kathy Hochul today declared a State of Emergency for more than half of New York counties and provided an update on the State’s response ahead of anticipated widespread snowfall Friday night into Saturday morning.
Areas of the Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island regions will see the highest snowfall amounts with totals of four to eight inches possible and with localized amounts of up to 12 inches. On average, snowfall rates will be between a half inch to one and a half inches, with peak rates of more than two inches an hour possible.
New Yorkers expecting to travel Friday in impacted areas should plan to get to their destinations prior to 6 p.m. when the heaviest snow is expected to begin, and avoid any unnecessary travel until later Saturday morning. If travel is unavoidable, New Yorkers should be sure to leave themselves extra time between destinations and ensure their vehicles are packed with safety essentials. State agencies began preparations for this storm earlier this week.
The State of Emergency impacts Albany, Bronx, Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Kings, Madison, Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Rensselaer, Suffolk, Ulster, Wayne, Westchester and contiguous counties.
“As widespread snowfall is expected to start in New York City and its surrounding areas this evening, I will declare a State of Emergency to ensure that our agencies and local partners have the resources and tools they need to respond to the storm,” Governor Hochul said. “The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I continue to urge extreme caution throughout the duration of this storm. Please continue to monitor your local forecast, avoid unnecessary travel and if you must travel, take all necessary precautions to ensure you arrive safely at your destination”.
Snow has already begun to fall in the western portions of the state and the system is expected to move east throughout the day. The highest snowfall totals are expected to be throughout the Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions with a widespread four to eight inches of snow and some areas potentially may receive one foot. Additionally, parts of Central New York, Southern Tier and Capital Region will see a widespread three to six inches of snow with localized amounts of up to eight inches possible.
The heaviest snowfall of the storm is expected in these areas between 6 p.m. and midnight Friday, with the potential for some downstate areas to see snowfall rates of more than two inches per hour. These conditions have the potential to create hazardous driving conditions and reduced visibility, so New Yorkers are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel until late Saturday morning.
Strong winds also are anticipated with gusts of 25 to 35 mph possible and localized gusts possibly reaching 50 mph. This wind combined with snow, which could be wet and heavy at times, could create the potential for power outages.
In addition to preparing for snow and wind, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities.
Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. New Yorkers also should check out these cold weather tips from the Department of Health; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning; information on the proper use of generators; and safe winter driving tips.
The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:
- Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
- Ensure access to clean drinking water.
- Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
- Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.
View more information on best practices for working in cold weather.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, and 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.
[NY Governor’s Office]
