Cuomo Announces State Preparation For Next Storm

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday continued state preparations ahead of the impending winter storm headed for the eastern portion of the state. The storm will arrive tonight, March 12, and continue during the day on Tuesday, March 13. The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for the Hudson Valley Monday night through Tuesday.

"With another nor'easter arriving tonight, the state has its response efforts in place to keep the roads clear and the power on," Cuomo said. "The state will continue to work closely with local officials to remove the snow as quickly as possible. As with any winter storm, I urge New Yorkers to keep their supplies stocked, stay safe and drive with extreme care."

The Mid-Hudson Region is expected to receive 3 to 6 inches with valley areas on the lower end of this range, Cuomo said. A few spots in the Catskills could experience 6 to 8 inches by Tuesday evening. Although the widespread steady snowfall will end Tuesday evening, there will be places that continue to see on and off light snow or snow showers from Tuesday night into Wednesday.

The snowfall will make for a slow and slippery commute on Tuesday morning. Emergency managers and transportation officials will be closely monitoring the winter storm in order to determine if a travel advisory will be placed into effect. Residents are urged to check back for travel related updates.

A toll-free hotline will be available as the storm approaches tonight and continues tomorrow for updates on weather, power outage restoration times, and shelters and warming centers in their area. New Yorkers can reach the hotline at 866-697-2434 for assistance. In addition, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated for enhanced monitoring and will increase operations to include all transportation agencies for the upcoming storm.

Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected in the New York City and Long Island region with higher gusts possible. Traveling will be dangerous due to low visibility and slippery road conditions. Some lingering light snow showers and flurries will continue Wednesday and Thursday, especially for high terrain areas, with daytime temperatures averaging below normal. An updated listing of Weather Watches and Warnings from the National Weather Service can be found here.

All New Yorkers can obtain emergency information through NY-ALERT, the state's free, all-hazards, web-based alert and notification system. To subscribe, visit nyalert.gov. If you do not own or have access to a computer, call toll-free 1-888-697-6972.

New York's utilities have a total of 5,400 in-house workers and contractors working on restoration efforts. This includes 1,400 out-of-state line and tree workers from Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Louisiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Canada that will be dedicated to restoration efforts. All customers impacted by the previous winter storm have been restored. All remaining customer outages are associated with individual damage locations that affect a single customer; all those locations have been assigned work crews and will be restored as quickly as possible.

The Department of Public Service has extended Call Center Helpline hours starting Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., as needed, to assist consumers in their storm restoration efforts. The Department of Public Service Call Center Helpline can be reached by calling 1-800-342-3377. Public Service Commission staff will continue to monitor the utilities' efforts during the restoration period. The utilities are prepared to respond to power disruptions throughout the event.

The New York State Police will add extra patrols in affected areas as needed. All 4x4 vehicles will be in service, and snowmobiles and Utility Terrain Vehicles will be staged and ready for deployment. All Troop emergency power and communications equipment has been tested and is operational.

The Thruway Authority has 681 supervisors and operators ready to deploy 246 Large Snow Plows, 113 Medium Snow Plows, 11 Tow Plows and 55 Loaders across the state with more than 107,000 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.

The Department of Transportation is deploying 65 operators from other regions to operate 65 reserve plows in the Hudson Valley and Long Island.

Motorists are reminded to go to the 511NY website or call 511 before traveling. The free service allows users to check road conditions and transit information. Mobile users can download the updated, free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app now features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.

Metro-North plans on operating on a normal weekday schedule. The railroad is pre-positioning switching engines at all yards to assist any trains that may become disabled. All trains are being prepared with third rail show shoes and coupler snow bags, and door tracks will be sprayed with deicer to reduce the instances of door malfunctions. Personnel are being pre-positioned to clear snow and ice from station platforms and train yards, respond to fallen trees, repair any overhead wire damage and ensure proper functioning of switches.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels is closely monitoring the conditions and staff is ready and prepared to respond to all weather-related incidents. Staffing levels will be evaluated throughout the event to ensure efficient deployment of personnel and resources. Electronic weather sensors on the Bridges are functional and all facilities have the ability to monitor weather and roadway conditions. Equipment and supplies such as deicer, snow trucks with plows, facility generators, fuel, hand-held anemometers are at adequate levels and ready for use, with more than 7,300 tons of roadway deicer on hand and 104 pieces of storm fighting equipment for storm operations, including conveyors, pay loaders, front loaders, pick-up trucks with plows, for storm operations.

In advance of the storm, the Port Authority has made extensive preparations for personnel and equipment at all its facilities. The agency will activate its Emergency Operations Centers at John F. Kennedy International Airport tonight at 6 p.m. tonight and at LaGuardia Airport this evening at 6:30 p.m. The agency will activate its overall Emergency Operations Center in Jersey City, which oversees all Port Authority facilities, at 11 p.m. tonight. The Port Authority has made extensive plans to provide busing in the event that service on AirTrain JFK must be suspended.

Airlines are currently making decisions about whether flights will be cancelled in advance, so travelers should check with their carriers to make sure their flight will be taking off before going to the airport tonight and on Wednesday. If warranted, the Port Authority also is prepared to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports. At the tunnels and bridges, the Port Authority urges bus travelers to check with their carriers before going to the bus terminals since many public and private carriers may cancel or delay service if conditions warrant. The bus terminal already has been informed that long haul carriers including Greyhound will cancel service to New England destinations tomorrow. The agency also may impose speed restrictions on its crossings, or close them entirely based on weather conditions. PATH plans to operate regular service on Tuesday.

Safe Travel

It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit, to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.

Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted.

Some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include:

• When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary.
• If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly-colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
• Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline freeze-up.
• If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
• Make sure someone knows your travel plans.

Drive Safely

The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, ensure that your vehicles clear of ice and snow. Good vision is a key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars, be extra alert, and remember, snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Moreover, always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.

Prepare for Power Outages

Governor Cuomo urges residents to stay away from any lines that are down as they may be live, and should be considered extremely dangerous. Motorists are reminded that State Law mandates that if an intersection is "blacked out" and the traffic signal is not operational, the intersection is automatically a "four way" stop. In the event of closed or blocked roadways due to flooding, downed power lines or debris, motorists are advised to exercise caution and obey all traffic signs or barricades in place, regardless of whether a roadway looks clear.

New Yorkers should also check on friends, family and neighbors, especially the elderly. Power outages can affect the ability of individuals to heat their homes, which could lead to dangerously cold temperatures in the winter months.

The governor is offering these additional safety tips:

• At home or at work, keep a battery-operated radio and flashlight on hand, as well as a supply of batteries. Keep an emergency supply of water, medications, and non-perishable foods handy. If you use medication that requires refrigeration, most can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem - check with your physician or pharmacist.
• Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power. Charge cell phones and any battery-powered devices.
• If you have space in your refrigerator or freezer, consider filling plastic containers with water, leaving an inch of space inside each one — this will help keep food cold if the power goes out.

If You Lose Power

• Call your utility provider to notify them of the outage and listen to local broadcasts for official information. For a list of utilities, visit the New York State Department of Public Service. Check to see if your neighbors have power. Check on people with access or functional needs.
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting - candles pose the risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerators and freezer doors closed - most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for approximately four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.
• Do not use a charcoal grill indoors and do not use a gas stove for heat - they could give off harmful levels of carbon monoxide.
• In cold weather, stay warm by dressing in layers and minimizing time spent outdoors. Be aware of cold stress symptoms (i.e., hypothermia) and seek proper medical attention if symptoms appear.

After a Power Outage

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40°F (4°C) for two or more hours, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. "When in doubt, throw it out!"

• If food in the freezer is colder than 40°F and has ice crystals on it, it can be re-frozen.
• If you are concerned about medications having spoiled, contact your doctor.
• Restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies.

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