Gov. Cuomo Declares State of Emergency for Putnam, Rockland, Westchester

• Gov. Cuomo Imposes Total Driving Ban After 11 p.m.

Expect that roads, subways and train service will be limited or curtailed as New York goes through a potentially historic snowstorm, state officials said at a 1 p.m. press conference.

“Four-o’clock, five-o’clock, six-o’clock tonight, you want to be home and you want to stay home,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who declared a state of emergency for Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

A tractor-trailer ban goes into effect at 4 p.m. on major New York highways including I-287, I-84 and the New York Thruway south of Exit 17, Cuomo said.

SEE ALSO:

• United Water Offers Blizzard Tips
• Trains, Planes and Buses: Transportation Schedule Changes
• Travel Advice from the State Police for Jan. 26, 27
• Red Cross Offers Storm Preparation Safety Tips

Cuomo said officials are considering a travel ban on all state roads—to be decided after the 4 p.m. weather update from the National Weather Service, which is currently predicting 18-24 inches of snow in the region through Tuesday night. That ban would take effect at 11 p.m.

MTA officials anticipate closing down Metro North at 11 p.m. as well—also TBD.

“This is not a storm to take lightly,” Cuomo said. “We’re taking what we believe to be prudent measures.”

MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast said service would be limited on the city’s subways after about 8 p.m. as most cars would be stored for protection. “As the end of rush hour occurs, we lay the fleet up under cover.”

Chains will be put on city buses and MTA vehicles.

Cuomo said the difference between New York and Connecticut—where Gov. Dannel Malloy has issued a statewide travel ban beginning at 9 p.m. today—was due to the fact that Connecticut is expected to be more heavily affected by the storm.

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