{"id":63381,"date":"2018-02-07T16:31:06","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T20:31:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=63381"},"modified":"2018-02-08T10:04:03","modified_gmt":"2018-02-08T14:04:03","slug":"governor-issues-update-on-winter-storm-urges-motorists-to-avoid-unnecessary-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2018\/02\/07\/governor-issues-update-on-winter-storm-urges-motorists-to-avoid-unnecessary-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor issues update on winter storm; urges motorists to avoid unnecessary travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an update today on state actions in response to the winter storm that is currently impacting <\/span>New York,<\/span> including the deployment of emergency personnel, resources and equipment to strategic staging areas across <\/span>the state<\/span>. The State Emergency Operations Center in Albany is activated with Office of Emergency Management personnel and is in close communication <\/span>with <\/span>the National Weather Service as the storm continues to cause dangerous travel conditions as a result of the heavy, accumulating snow. Additionally, this morning, the Governor visited the Albany NYSDOT garage in Latham as workers prepared for deployment to clear the roads and keep motorists safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

“New York’s plow operators and crews, first responders, and emergency personnel work around the clock in dangerous conditions to keep New Yorkers safe and they have our tremendous respect,” <\/span>Governor Cuomo said<\/span>. “As the storm continues and our response efforts are underway, I urge New Yorkers to follow local weather reports and avoid unnecessary travel.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the <\/span>state is under a Winter Weather Warning, with a few Winter Weather Advisories also in effect. Snow started this morning<\/span> and will <\/span>continue<\/span> throughout the day. New York City, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson Region <\/span>have<\/span> been experiencing a mixture of sleet and freezing rain. Snowfall totals will <\/span>range from 4 to 10 inches for most of the state, with some areas in the Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, Central New York, Finger Lakes and Western New York possibly<\/span> experiencing up to 12 inches. <\/span>Heavy snowfall is expected at times this afternoon with snowfall rates greater than an inch an hour possible as the system m<\/span>oves quickly across the state. <\/span>Poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions can be expected<\/span> and there is a potential for heavy snowfall during the evening rush hour. <\/span><\/p>\n

For a complete list of Weather Warnings for your area, visit the National Weather Service <\/span>website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

State Plows and Snow Removal Equipment Deployed<\/span> Statewide
\n<\/span><\/strong>The Department of Transportation has activated a number of resources to ensure roadways are cleared<\/span> statewide including 1,569 large plow\/dump trucks, 190 medium <\/span>plow\/dump trucks, 326 loaders, 37 truck\/loader mounted snow blowers, 52 tow plows, 17 graders and 14 pickup trucks with plows working the storm. The Department of Transportation also has more than<\/span>383,995 tons of road salt on hand. The Thruway Authority actively deployed resources include 672 supervisors and operators 248 Large Snow Plows, 113 Medium Snow Plows, 11 Tow Plows and 53 Loaders across the state with more than 111,000 <\/span>tons of road salt on hand. Variable Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radio and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway and state roads.<\/span><\/p>\n

State Agency Assets<\/span> 
\n<\/span><\/strong>At the direction of the Governor, personnel including State officials with the Executive Chamber, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, and State Police, are actively monitoring weather conditions statewide. Assets and equipment have been prepared for deployment including:<\/span><\/p>\n