BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Saturday on Channel 2's Daybreak that she has activated the National Guard to assist Western New York in managing the storm.
She told 2 On Your Side's Pete Gallivan and Melissa Holmes that about 70 National Guard members have been deployed to the Southtowns to help crews in Hamburg, Orchard Park and Evans with snow removal on the main roads.
The main concern is keep the main roads open so that first responders can get through in an emergency.
Hochul during a 3 p.m. news conference provided an update on the National Guard deployment during that 3 p.m. news conference in Hamburg, which Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also attended.
The number of troops in Erie County, assisting with the storm response, has more than doubled with 150 now on the ground. Among other duties, they are helping dialysis patients get to and from their treatment.
Once those main roads are clear, the National Guard troops can then help with residential roads.
In addition, the New York State Police is also assisting local towns with ATVs and snowmobiles to help EMS getting to people who need emergency assistance. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz shared at 11:45 a.m. that National Guard troops had arrived and were about to help take people in who need dialysis.
"We've been immediately responsive to any requests we get from municipalities that help," Hochul said.
Hochul said that any town that needs assistance, knows they can contact the state for help.