Travel Ban, State Of Emergency Declarations As Latest Forecast Calls For As Much As 2 Feet Of Snow

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — On Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency across New York as a major snowstorm and plummeting temperatures head our way, making it "a very dangerous weather event," she said.

The forecast has since taken a turn for the worse for parts of the Hudson Valley.

The latest snowfall projections are calling for as much as 2 feet of snow in some areas of the region. Dangerously cold temperatures are adding to concerns.

The entire region remains under a winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Sunday morning until 6 a.m. Monday.

Officials in Putnam and Dutchess counties have already declared travel bans during the height of the storm.

"We are braced for a major winter event this Sunday and Monday," Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said. "To ensure public safety and allow road crews to keep up with the storm, we have issued an emergency order banning travel in Dutchess County starting from 5 a.m. Sunday through 5 p.m. Monday, and I ask residents to please abide by it for everyone's safety."

Meanwhile, municipalities across the Hudson Valley have declared snow emergencies, putting parking restrictions in place and suspending some services.

"We're here to send out the alarm," Hochul said. "All New Yorkers are heading into a very dangerous weather event — throughout every corner of the state. No one is immune to feeling the effects of Mother Nature's wrath."

Conditions, she said, "are intensifying as we speak. We're used to winter in New York. We think we're ready for this — but when you get complacent, that's when you get into trouble."

The governor reiterated that the snow is only part of the concern.

"These are some of the most dangerous temperatures we've seen in years," she said. "In the north country, you'd better up; we are expecting up to minus-40 and minus-50 wind chills. In Buffalo and Albany, and across the I-95 corner, it will feel like minus-20," she said.

In Westchester, County Executive Ken Jenkins said the preparations are already in place to deal with the severe weather, but emphasized that we will all need to take precautions of our own as well.

"We've been through this before," Jenkins said. "We live in the Northeast — it's going to snow, but we want everyone to be taking this time seriously. We want you to prepare for a significant winter storm that's going to bring the potential for considerable disruptions to transportation and daily activities."

Orange County Executive Steven Nuehaus said that parts of the county can expect between one and two feet of snow. He said preparations were underway well ahead of the weekend.

"We've done before. We've been through this before. We know what we're doing," Nuehaus said. "The 911 Center will have our Emergency Operations Center stood up Sunday morning, through the duration of the storm. We will have emergency responders represented here — law enforcement, like the state police, sheriff' department office. We will also have utilities here."

According to the National Weather Service, the effects of the storm could linger through the evening commute on Monday.