On Friday afternoon, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Workplace introduced, “Niagara County has declared a state of emergency as a result of extreme climate circumstances which can be impacting journey and security. Efficient 2 p.m., Niagara County might be upgrading the journey advisory to a full journey ban till additional discover.”
As well as, Tops Pleasant Markets Public and Media Relations Supervisor Kathy Sautter introduced, “The security of our associates and clients stay our prime precedence. Because of the continued excessive climate circumstances all Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming County Tops shops will stay closed till Monday, Dec. 26. We are going to reopen at 6 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26.”
Hochul Offers Replace on State’s Response Efforts to Winter Storm Impacting Vacation Journey This Weekend
Statewide State of Emergency in Impact as Winter Storm Strikes Via New York
NYS Thruway (I-90) closed to All Site visitors Between Exit 46 (Rochester, I-390) and Pennsylvania Border; Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge border crossings all closed to all inbound visitors
Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans counties Implement Native Journey Bans, Solely Approved Autos Can Journey as Blizzard Situations Persist in Western New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul offered an replace to New Yorkers as a winter storm introduced vital rain, snow and excessive winds throughout the state in a single day, and blizzard-like circumstances in Western New York. On Thursday, Hochul declared a statewide state of emergency forward of the occasion, which went into impact at 6 a.m. Friday. Hochul suggested New Yorkers planning to journey this weekend to rethink, as a big drop in temperatures Friday afternoon will trigger vital flash freezing and icy street circumstances.
“This storm has introduced a little bit of every little thing we anticipated, and there are literally thousands of our first responders, emergency administration personnel and utility crews out working within the parts to maintain New Yorkers secure immediately,” Hochul mentioned. “I am asking everybody to remain off the roads this night, as circumstances will worsen when temperatures drop throughout the state later immediately. Bundle up, keep indoors, and keep secure this weekend.”
In the present day and persevering with into Saturday morning, a lot of the state is predicted to see robust winds as much as 60 miles per hour or extra, as temperatures will drop rapidly and considerably – by greater than 35 levels in some areas – inflicting flash freezing, below-zero wind chills and icy street circumstances. This has already impacted circumstances in Western New York and is predicted to affect the remainder of the state by this night’s commute. Winds on Friday and Saturday might be robust sufficient to trigger downed timber and energy traces. Lakeshore flooding off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario is feasible in flood-prone areas as a consequence of rain, snowmelt and powerful winds.
Tonight, and persevering with by Monday, lake-effect snow will affect the Buffalo and Watertown areas off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and powerful winds are anticipated to trigger blowing and drifting snow with close to zero visibility and localized blizzard circumstances. The Buffalo and Watertown areas may see as much as 3 ft of snow by Sunday evening. Beneath-normal, freezing temperatures with low wind chills are anticipated to persist by Monday for upstate areas.
Hochul urged New Yorkers to take all vital precautions, if touring this week, and plan forward for vital climate impacts.
A number of blizzard warnings, coastal flood warnings, lakeshore flood warnings, excessive wind warnings, wind chill warnings, and winter storm warnings are all in impact for this weekend in numerous counties throughout the state. For a whole record of climate watches, warnings and advisories throughout New York, go to the Nationwide Climate Service web site.
New York State Division of Homeland Safety and Emergency Providers Commissioner Jackie Bray mentioned, “The storm has hit each county within the state, with out exception, over the previous 12 hours. Stay vigilant immediately and tomorrow. Earlier than leaving dwelling, test native circumstances and take heed to the course of native officers. Tonight, the whole state will expertise a deep freeze. Will probably be dangerously chilly irrespective of the place you reside within the state and, as a result of winds, we anticipate widespread energy outages growing the hazard of the chilly. Examine in your neighbors and family members, and know that the state’s emergency response personnel and utility crews throughout the state are working around-the-clock this vacation weekend to maintain you secure.”
Company Operations
•Division of Homeland Safety and Emergency Providers: The state’s emergency operations middle and the hearth operations middle are open and actively monitoring climate stories and incidents throughout the state to facilitate the state’s response to the storm. The Workplace of Emergency Administration and The Workplace of Hearth Prevention and Management have gear and personnel obtainable to help with requests.
Throughout the state’s 10 stockpiles, DHSES has the next deployable objects to help storm-related wants:
- 1,487 mills
- 985 pumps
- 528 chainsaws
- 250 mild towers
- Cots, pillows, blankets, water and MREs
•Division of Public Service: New York’s utilities have roughly 7,700 employees obtainable statewide to have interaction in harm evaluation, wire guarding, response, restore and restoration efforts.
- This contains a further 800 exterior line and tree employees secured by Nationwide Grid,
- 330 exterior line and tree employees secured by NYSEG and RG&E,
- 95 exterior line and tree employees secured by Central Hudson,
- 150 exterior line and tree employees secured by Orange & Rockland and
- 800 exterior line and tree employees secured by Con Edison.
DPS employees will observe utilities’ response, restore and restoration work all through the occasion and guarantee utilities shift acceptable assets to areas that have the best affect.
On account of the extreme climate, the division has prolonged its OCS name middle helpline hours to 7:30 p.m. Friday to help New Yorkers in storm response and restoration efforts. The quantity is 800-342-3377.
•The State Division of Transportation is monitoring climate circumstances and is responding with 3,450 supervisors and operators. Moreover, 75 ICS personnel can be found to help the response to this occasion. All affected residency areas might be staffed for twenty-four/7 operation all through the length of the occasion. Employees may be configured into any kind of response crew that’s wanted, reminiscent of snow and ice, flood, chipper, load and haul, minimize and toss, visitors sign, and so on. All obtainable gear is totally engaged or able to deploy.
A driving ban has been issued in Erie County and the Metropolis of Buffalo; and the next roads in Erie County are closed to all visitors till circumstances enhance:
- State Route 400
- State Route 219
- I-290
- I-190
- State Route 5 (Huge Tree Street to I-190)
Moreover, the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge border crossings are all closed to inbound visitors.
A restriction for vans “Vans Use Proper Lane” on Interstate 81 from Exit 32 (Central Sq.) to Exit 51 (Alex Bay) began at midday Friday. Moreover, a number of roads within the Hudson Valley are closed to do flooding or downed timber. NYSDOT crews are totally engaged in particles elimination, assessing the state of affairs, and can reopen the roads as quickly as circumstances allow.
Regional crews proceed to have interaction in all-hazards preparations. Drainage constructions are being checked and cleared of particles. To help response actions in important areas, a complete of 71 employees, together with 65 plow truck operators, 4 supervisors, one assistant supervisor, one ICS help specialist, 13 plow vans, two snowblowers, and one grader are being deployed to Western New York and the North Nation. They’re distributed as follows:
•Western New York
- 3 plow vans from Central New York
- 2 plow vans, 2 snow blowers, and 1 grader from the Finger Lakes
- 4 operators and a couple of plow vans the Western Southern Tier
- 26 operators, 2 supervisors, and 1 assistant supervisor from the Mid-Hudson Area
- 10 operators, 1 supervisor, and three plow vans from the Southern Tier
- 19 operators and 1 supervisor from Lengthy Island
- 1 ICS specialist from the Capital District
•North Nation
- 2 operators and 1 plow truck from the Capital District
- 2 operators and 1 plow truck from the Mohawk Valley
- 2 operators and 1 plow truck from Central New York
The necessity for extra assets (operators, vans, mechanics, EOIs) might be reevaluated as circumstances warrant all through the occasion. Generator stockpiles are being readied for deployment to help darkish sign response. Fleet mechanics in affected areas might be staffing all foremost residency areas 24/7 to carry out repairs and preserve vans on the street. Statewide gear numbers are as follows:
- 1,740 giant and medium-duty plow vans
- 52 tow plows
- 37 snowblowers
- 338 loaders
- 13 tree crew bucket vans
- 78 chippers
- 32 visitors sign vans
- 20 graders
- 73 excavators
For up-to-date journey info, name 511, go to 511NY.org or obtain the free 511NY cellular app.
•Thruway Authority upkeep services are staffed across the clock and responding to the storm with 678 operators and supervisors statewide. Thruway has shifted and deployed further employees and gear from its New York and Albany divisions to help snow and ice operations in Western New York. Deployed assets embody giant plow vans and operators. Further assets are on standby and able to shift as wanted.
All autos are banned on the New York State Thruway (I-90) from Exit 46 (Rochester I-390) to the Pennsylvania border, and on the Niagara Thruway (I-190) from I-90 to Exit 22 (Route 62) till additional discover.
Thruway statewide gear numbers and assets embody:
- 364 giant and medium-duty plow vans
- 10 tow plows
- 66 loaders
- Greater than 123,000 tons of salt readily available
Variable message indicators and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter climate circumstances on the Thruway. Comply with the Thruway Authority on Twitter at @NYSThruway and @ThruwayTraffic, and on Fb NYS Thruway Authority.
The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to obtain its cellular app, which is on the market free of charge on iPhone and Android gadgets. The app supplies motorists direct entry to real-time visitors info, dwell visitors cameras, and navigation help whereas on the go. Motorists can even join TRANSalert emails, which offer the newest visitors circumstances alongside the Thruway.
•The New York State Police have added further patrols all through Western New York and in Jefferson County to reply as wanted. All four-wheel drive and specialty autos are in service, together with utility activity autos and snowmobiles.
•The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is monitoring climate circumstances. Velocity restrictions could also be in impact on the bridges, in addition to alongside roadways to and from the crossings. Passengers by the Port Authority’s services are inspired to succeed in out to carriers and airways straight for the newest info on delays and cancelations. For the newest details about Port Authority services, test social media.
•The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is intently monitoring climate circumstances to make sure secure, dependable service. MTA workers might be poised to answer any weather-related points and take away any downed timber which will fall throughout tracks.
MTA bridges and tunnels banned empty tractor-trailers and tandem vans by 8 p.m. Friday. Pedestrian walkways on the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge might be closed throughout this similar time interval; pedestrian walkways on the RFK Bridge and Henry Hudson Bridge could shut relying on climate circumstances.
Prospects are inspired to test new.mta.data for the newest service updates, and to make use of warning whereas navigating the system.
Security Ideas – Winter Journey Security
Hochul’s crew provided the next:
The main reason for loss of life and accidents throughout winter storms is transportation accidents. Earlier than getting behind the wheel, evaluation these security ideas:
√ When winter storms strike, don’t drive except vital.
√ Guarantee that your car is obvious of ice and snow; good imaginative and prescient is essential to good driving.
√ At all times match your pace to the street and climate circumstances. Plan your stops and preserve extra distance between automobiles.
√ Be further alert and keep in mind that snowdrifts can conceal smaller kids.
√ Ensure that your automobile is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and additional batteries, further heat clothes, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, fast power meals and brightly coloured material to make use of as a misery flag.
√ In case you have a cellular phone or different communications system reminiscent of a two-way radio obtainable on your use, preserve the battery charged and preserve it with you each time touring.
Excessive Temps
√ Concentrate on wind chill – wind together with the precise temperature – that may trigger a rise of warmth loss to the human physique.
√ Costume appropriately and keep away from staying within the chilly too lengthy.
√ Put on a hat and gloves, when acceptable, with layers of clothes. Keep away from pointless publicity of any a part of the physique to the chilly.
√ Drink loads of heat fluids or heat water, however keep away from caffeine and alcohol. Keep energetic to keep up physique warmth.
√ Take frequent breaks from the chilly.
√ If indicators of hypothermia or frostbite seem, get out of the chilly, slowly heat the person and search medical help. Frostbite: signs embody lack of feeling, a white or pale look in fingers, toes, ears and nostril. Hypothermia signs embody uncontrollable shivering, sluggish speech, reminiscence lapses, frequent stumbling and drowsiness.
Heavy Exertion
Heavy exertion, reminiscent of shoveling snow, clearing particles or pushing a automobile, improve the chance of a coronary heart assault. Comply with these tricks to keep secure after the storm:
√ Keep heat, gown heat and decelerate when working outdoor.
√ Take frequent rests to keep away from over-exertion.
√ If you happen to really feel chest ache, shortness of breath, or ache in your jaw radiating down your arm – cease and search assist instantly.
Energy Outages
Winter storms could cause energy outages. Evaluation these security ideas earlier than the lights exit so you realize what to do in an emergency:
√ Name your utility supplier to inform them of the outage.
√ Keep away from all downed energy traces and report them to your utility supplier for restore; assume all downed traces have dwell electrical energy.
√ Use solely flashlights for emergency lighting – candles pose the chance of fireside.
√ Maintain your fridge and freezer doorways shut to maintain meals from spoiling. When unsure, throw it out!
√ Don’t use a charcoal grill or generator indoors, and don’t use a fuel range for warmth – they might give off dangerous ranges of carbon monoxide.
√ Flip off main home equipment to forestall harm from a potential surge when the facility comes again on – preserve one mild turned on so you realize when energy returns.
House Heating
Heating gear is among the main causes of dwelling fireplace deaths. Maintain family members secure by following these necessary steps:
√ Maintain all combustibles at the very least 3 ft away from heating gear.
√ At all times plug home equipment, together with house heaters, straight right into a receptacle. By no means plug home equipment into an influence strip or extension twine.
√ Ensure that there’s a working smoke alarm in every bed room, outdoors sleeping areas and on each degree of your house.
For all non-emergency service wants earlier than, throughout or after a storm, name 211 or go to 211nys.org. For extra security ideas, go to the New York State Division of Homeland Safety and Emergency Providers Security Ideas web site at www.dhses.ny.gov/security.
