STATEN ISLAND, N .Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for some parts of New York state, ahead of a potentially dangerous winter storm hitting communities along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Saturday night.
Hochul’s office is expecting “blizzard-like, whiteout conditions” upstate starting Saturday night and lasting through Monday morning, where temperatures are expected to drop into single digits.
The state of emergency applies to the following counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego and Wyoming.
Strong wind gusts are expected to increase to 70 mph, and will likely cause power outages, freezing cold wind chills, and lake effect snow with a foot or more possible.
“My administration and I are monitoring the forecast as well to see whether that will be necessary for the North Country,” said Hochul. “During this time, it is important to check in on vulnerable friends and family, and do whatever you can to stay safe and warm.”
Hochul’s administration noted that travel in these areas will be difficult to impossible at times, and New Yorkers are urged to pay close attention to the weather and make plans accordingly to stay safe, especially those planning to attend the Buffalo Bills game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“New Yorkers are being encouraged to enjoy the game from home. However, if they are planning to attend the game, they should travel with extreme caution and pay very close attention to weather and travel updates throughout the weekend,” the governor’s press release states.
In addition to the state of emergency, there will be a travel ban for empty trucks and trailers, as well as all tandem trucks.
Starting Saturday at 9 a.m., the New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Thruway Authority will be issuing a ban on the following routes:
Thruway:
- I-90 Exit 46 – PA line
- I-190 (south of the North Grand…
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