BUFFALO, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency as regions across the state, including Western New York, brace for lake effect snow over the weekend.
The State of Emergency started at 3 p.m. Friday, and it includes Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming counties.
"This is a very serious storm. People have gotten a little complacent because the fall and the winter thus far have been pretty mild. But I want everyone to take this seriously," Hochul said Friday during an interview.
Hochul said there are nearly 6,000 utility crews that will be ready to restore power, if necessary.
"The good news may be that we don't expect the high winds that would normally bring power lines down," she said.
The governor added that she will use whatever resources she can to ensure people's safety as the lake effect snow continues to fall across the state. That includes use of the National Guard.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for Southern Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, and Allegany counties from 7 a.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday. Multiple feet of snow possible in some spots.
A second Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for northern Erie County and Genesee County from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday. Storm Team 2 said this warning is more for the immediate Southtowns.
"I'm a Western New Yorker myself, so it's all about taking steps to be ready for the worst," Hochul said. "We are expecting to see some heavy snowfall over the next couple of days that could lead to some significant accumulation in Western New York, as well as. Even the City of Buffalo could be 4 to 6 inches."