Gov. Kathy Hochul Declares State of Emergency for Western New York and North Country Amid Severe Weather Forecast
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening for Western New York and the North Country in anticipation of heavy snow and high winds.
The National Weather Service predicts that areas east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will experience significant snowfall, ranging from two to three feet, accompanied by wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph. These conditions are expected to begin tonight and continue through Saturday.
Officials warned that travel will be extremely hazardous due to deep snow accumulation on roadways and poor visibility, with areas of blowing snow potentially leading to near whiteout conditions. The weather service urged residents to exercise caution during this storm.
The state of emergency applies to several counties, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming, as well as surrounding areas.
In response to the severe weather, the New York State Thruway Authority has enacted a ban on tandem and empty tractor-trailers in both directions on Interstate 90, from Exit 53 (Buffalo – Canada – Niagara Falls – Interstate 190) west to the Pennsylvania state line, until further notice.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Transportation has implemented a tandem and empty trailer ban starting at midnight for several key routes, including State Route 5, U.S. Route 219, State Route 400, and Interstate 86, covering various counties across the region.
Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay in touch with family and friends over the next 48 hours as the storm progresses.
