BUFFALO, N.Y. — With another round of lake effect snow on the way for Western New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for counties that are expected to be severely impacted.
That includes Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Wyoming counties in Western New York.
A tandem and empty-trailer ban in both directions of the Thruway will also start at midnight From Exit 53 (downtown Buffalo) to the Pennsylvania State Line. It will be in effect until further notice.
A tandem and empty-trailer ban will also start at midnight for:
- NY Route 5 from NY 179 to I-190 (Erie County);
- US 219 from I-90 to I-86 (Erie and Cattaraugus counties);
- NY Route 400 from I-90 to NY 16 (Erie County); and
- I-86 from US 219 to the Pennsylvania State Line (Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties)
"I am declaring a State of Emergency so our communities have the resources they need to stay safe," Governor Hochul said in a statement Wednesday evening.
"We are deploying resources and working alongside our partners in government as we prepare for every possibility — I encourage all New Yorkers to stay alert, stay off the roads if possible, and keep in contact with family and friends as we move through the next 48 hours."
Up to 2 feet of snow or more is possible for some areas. Winds of 30 to 45 mph could also produce whiteout conditions.
Statewide, Hochul said crews will use 1,626 large plow trucks, 338 large loaders, 151 medium duty plows, 52 tow plows, 35 snow blowers, and 20 graders to try and keep New Yorkers safe.
Of that, Western New York will receive:
- Five operators, one supervisor, and two equipment operator instructors from the Finger Lakes;
- Five operators, one supervisor, two equipment operator instructors, one snow blower and one grader from the Western Southern Tier;
- One snow blower and one grader from the Capital Region;
- One snow blower from the Mohawk Valley; and
- One snow blower from Mid-Hudson.
The Thruway Authority has 330 large and medium duty plow trucks, 10 tow plows, 63 loaders, and more than 117,000 tons of salt, Hochul said.
The state is asking people to avoid unnecessary travel. If you must travel, be sure you have what you need in the car, in case something unexpected happens.
"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," the state said.
Also, if you endure a power outage, here's where you can report it:
- Central Hudson: 800-527-2714
- Con Edison: 800-752-6633
- National Grid: 800-867-5222
- NYSEG: 800-572-1131
- O&R: 877-434-4100
- PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075
- RG&E: 800-743-1701