{"id":93923,"date":"2022-12-22T18:38:54","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T23:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=93923"},"modified":"2022-12-22T18:38:54","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T23:38:54","slug":"governor-declares-statewide-state-of-emergency-as-storm-moves-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2022\/12\/22\/governor-declares-statewide-state-of-emergency-as-storm-moves-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor declares Statewide State of Emergency as storm moves in"},"content":{"rendered":"

Governor Kathy <\/span>Hochul<\/span> today declared a State of Emergency for the entire State of New York in advance of a significant winter weather system forecast to bring a mixed bag of hazards across the state beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Monday. Heavy rain and snow, strong winds, coastal and lakeshore <\/span>flooding<\/span> and flash freezing are all possible in various regions across the state throughout the holiday weekend. In addition, lake effect snow is expected to impact areas along Lakes Erie and Ontario beginning Friday night and continuing into Monday with total snow accumulations forecast to reach up to three feet. <\/span><\/p>\n

“With Mother Nature throwing everything she has at us this weekend, I encourage New Yorkers who are considering travelling for the holidays to do so before Friday or after Sunday to stay safe,” <\/span>Governor <\/span>Hochul<\/span> said.<\/span> “Our agencies are well prepared, coordinated and ready to deploy assets and equipment if needed to respond to the storm. We want all New Yorkers to get where they need to go safely to celebrate the holidays with loved ones.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Thursday into Friday, rain, snow showers and strong winds are forecast for most of the state with rainfall amounts of up to three inches possible in some places. Moderate to major coastal flooding (1-2 feet) is possible Friday morning due to rain and strong winds, and lakeshore flooding up to three feet above flood stage is possible off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario due to rain, <\/span>snowmelt<\/span> and strong winds. <\/span><\/p>\n

Starting Friday and continuing into Saturday morning, much of the state is expected to see strong winds up to 60 miles per hour or more as temperatures will drop quickly and significantly, by more than 35 degrees in some regions, causing flash freezing, below zero wind chills and icy road conditions. This will impact the Friday morning commute in Western New York and the evening commute for the rest of the state. Winds on Friday and Saturday will be strong enough to cause downed trees and power lines. <\/span><\/p>\n

Friday night and continuing through Monday, lake effect snow will impact areas off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and strong winds are expected to cause blowing and drifting snow with near zero visibility and localized blizzard conditions. The Buffalo and Watertown areas could see up to three feet of snow through Sunday night. Below normal, freezing temperatures with low wind chills are expected to persist through Monday for upstate regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Governor <\/span>Hochul<\/span> urged New Yorkers to take all necessary precautions, if traveling this week, and <\/span>plan ahead<\/span> for significant weather impacts.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Blizzard Warnings, Coastal Flood Warnings, Lakeshore Flood Warnings, High Wind Warnings, Wind Chill Warnings, and Winter Storm Warnings are all in effect this weekend throughout various counties across the state. For a complete list of weather watches, warnings, and advisories across New York, visit the <\/span>National Weather Service <\/span>website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said,<\/span> “The timeline for this storm has moved up. If you are planning to travel this weekend do everything you can to travel tonight instead or wait until Sunday morning. Please, avoid travel on Friday and Saturday given the conditions most of the state will face. In addition to hazardous roads, strong winds will likely cause power outages. Be prepared for the possibility of losing power.” <\/span><\/p>\n

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

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services began coordinating State Agency response operations and contacted local governments earlier this week ahead of weather impacts to ensure preparedness. The State’s Emergency Operations Center will be opening Friday morning. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Office of Emergency Management is working with Erie County to pre-stage chainsaws and <\/span>generators, and<\/span> deploying sandbags to the US Coast Guard in Buffalo to protect against potential lakeshore flooding. The Office of Fire Prevention and Control has equipment and personnel available to assist with mutual aid requests.   <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Across the State’s Ten Stockpiles, DHSES has the following deployable items to support storm-related needs:<\/span><\/p>\n