Statewide state of emergency remains in effect as historic winter storm continues to heavily impact Western New York and beyond.
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Governor Kathy Hochul announced deployments of additional personnel and assets to areas in Western New York impacted by a historic blizzard causing impossible travel conditions in the Buffalo area and beyond.
Governor Hochul declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of the event, on Thursday. Friday evening, Governor Hochul deployed more than 50 soldiers from the New York National Guard to assist New Yorkers facing emergencies and unable to travel.
The Governor surged additional assets and personnel from numerous state agencies involved in the emergency response to assist these efforts and remove stranded motorists from their vehicles.
As temperatures remain well below freezing across the state today, with the threat of flash freezing and icy road conditions, Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers in heavily impacted regions to stay home and to take measures to safely stay warm.
The North County, Finger Lakes and Central New York regions all experienced peak wind gusts of more than 60 miles per hour during the event. In Western New York, peak wind gusts reached 79 miles per hour. The Buffalo and Watertown areas are expected to see snow totals of 3-5 feet by Monday, as a result of the storm.
Across the state, temperatures remain below 20 degrees and several regions are experiencing single digit temperatures and subzero windchills. This creates the risk for flash freezing and icy road conditions that will continue to impact statewide travel.
Snow and strong winds of more than 60 miles per hour will continue in Western New York and the North Country, creating blizzard-like conditions and zero visibility. Lakeshore flooding is expected to continue in areas off of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Blizzard Warnings, Lake Effect Snow Warnings, Lakeshore Flood Warnings, Wind Chill Warnings, and Winter Storm Warnings are currently in effect for various counties across the state. ■
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