{"id":83452,"date":"2021-02-15T13:38:17","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T18:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=83452"},"modified":"2021-02-15T13:38:17","modified_gmt":"2021-02-15T18:38:17","slug":"governor-directs-state-agencies-to-mobilize-ahead-of-major-winter-weather-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2021\/02\/15\/governor-directs-state-agencies-to-mobilize-ahead-of-major-winter-weather-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor directs state agencies to mobilize ahead of major winter weather system"},"content":{"rendered":"

Governor Cuomo today directed state agencies to mobilize emergency response assets as a major winter weather system will impact the state with two rounds of heavy snow, cold temperatures and ice. All counties in the state are under a National Weather Service-issued weather advisory or warning through Tuesday as many locations are forecast to receive more than a foot of snow, while some areas could be impacted by a mixture of sleet and ice up to 3\/10 of an inch. Travel conditions could become extremely difficult at times, especially late Monday evening through Tuesday morning, when heavier snow could combine with gusty winds and cause blowing and drifting snow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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“This massive weather system is making its way across the country and ready to deliver a one-two punch of snow, ice and heavy winds across the entire state for the next two days,” <\/span>Governor Cuomo said.<\/span> “Travel conditions could become extremely dangerous, and I’ve directed our emergency response personnel to get out ahead of this storm and help our local partners. New Yorkers should pay close attention to local weather forecasts and avoid all unnecessary travel.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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For Western and Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, the North Country, Capital Region, the Southern Tier, snow is forecast to occur in multiple rounds with most locations seeing either light snow or a mixture of sleet and snow during the day Monday with a switch to heavier snow late Monday evening into Tuesday morning. Snow accumulations through Tuesday are expected to range from 6 to 14 inches in varying locations. <\/span><\/p>\n

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For the North Country, moderate heavy snow is possible Monday night through Tuesday morning with snow accumulations exceeding 12 inches in some places. <\/span>Travel could be very difficult to impossible due to areas of blowing snow along the south shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Downstate areas and Long Island could see a mixture of snow, sleet and\/or freezing ice, with accumulations up to a 1\/10 of an inch Monday.<\/span> The freezing rain is expected to turn into regular rain as temperatures climb on Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Weather forecasters are tracking another widespread precipitation event for Thursday and Friday that could bring even more snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain to the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Multiple weather warnings, watches, and advisories have been issued for several parts of the state. For a complete listing of weather watches and warnings in your area, visit your area’s National Weather Service <\/span>website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Agency Preparations<\/span><\/p>\n

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Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services<\/span><\/p>\n

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Emergency Operations Center remains activated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will closely monitor weather conditions, coordinate state response operations and remain in contact with localities throughout the duration of the event. State stockpiles are prepared to deploy assets to localities to support any storm-related needs, including pumps, chainsaws, sandbags, generators, cots, blankets and bottled water.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Department of Transportation<\/span><\/p>\n

The State Department of Transportation has 3,656 supervisors and operators available statewide, prepared to respond.  All affected residency locations will be staffed for 24\/7 operation throughout the duration of priority response operations. Mechanic support will be available 24\/7 to keep response equipment operational.  Crews are currently engaged in tree debris response preparations as well as snow and ice response preparations.  Tree debris response tools, including generators, chainsaws, hand tools and chippers are being readied and loaded into response trucks for immediate dispatch.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

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