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Governor Cuomo this afternoon directed the New York State Office of Emergency
Management (OEM) to activate the state's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
and open the State Emergency Operations Center to ensure resources and equipment
are positioned for an appropriate response to the forecasted storm.
"In response to the anticipated storm - including snow, ice and sleet - we have taken the
steps necessary to coordinate and mobilize the resources needed to provide a timely
response," Governor Cuomo said. "I urge all New Yorkers to take precautions to prepare
themselves and their families as this storm approaches."
The Governor's Office has been coordinating response efforts with relevant agencies
and authorities including: Department of Transportation, New York State Police, Thruway
Authority, Public Service Commission, Long Island Power Authority, New York Power
Authority, State Office of Emergency Management, Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
• The Department of Public Service (DPS) is coordinating with all of the state's major
electric utilities to ensure that the utilities have the necessary resources in place to deal
with the expected storm. This includes activation of the New York Mutual Assistance
Group, if conditions warrant, to shift crews within the state and possibly reach out to
other states and Canada if needed.
• The DPS will ensure that its Consumer Services Hot Line (1-800-342-3377) will be fully
staffed and available to assist utility customers needing information from their service
provider. Staffing of the hotline has been increased to handle additional storm-related
volume.
• State Police have diverted additional 4-wheel drive vehicles to anticipated impact areas
and increased patrols.
• The New York National Guard Joint Operations Center is operational and monitoring the
situation and stands ready to provide specialized military assets to include helicopters
and high axle cargo trucks, if needed.
• The State Thruway Authority has 300 snow removal vehicles (snow plows, snow
blowers, front-end loaders and salt spreaders) prepared system-wide and has scheduled
extra staffing for dispatch, State Police and Division operations. The Authority is also
starting anti-ice pretreatment of the road surface today in preparation for the impending
storm.
The Department of Transportation urges travelers to pay close attention to general winter
road safety advice, including:
• Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Increase your following distance when roads are slippery or visibility is poor. Schedule
extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations.
• During a winter storm, motorists will encounter snow- and ice-covered roads even when
plows are operating. Drivers must exercise extreme care and diligence while traveling
during winter weather.
• Stay alert! Whether driving or walking, stay focused on what you are doing. Accidents
are caused by distracted driving and walking.
• Watch for down power lines and signal outages. Signalized intersections where power
outages occur should be regarded as a four-way stop. Use extra caution.
• Bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces. Use
caution.
• Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables,
rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, extra warm clothes and a cell phone.
• Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of
arrival.
• Stay calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become
snowbound. Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound.
• Property owners and snow plow operators are urged to help keep roadways clear of
snow and ice by not depositing or stockpiling snow on or along highways. Piles of snow
are hazardous to pedestrians and motorists, as snow and ice left on highways creates
unsafe driving conditions and can cause other problems including walking hazards,
limited sight distance and poor visibility. Dumping snow on roadways violates New York
State Motor Vehicle and Traffic Law.
For safety reasons, motorists and pedestrians should give be cautious around
snowplows, and should:
• Stay a safe distance away from snowplows. The safest place for motorists is well
behind the snowplows where the road is clear and salted. The safest place for
pedestrians is on the sidewalk, and in clear vision of the snowplow driver.
• Never assume that a plow driver can see you.
• Yield to a snowplow, giving the plow a wide berth with room to maneuver.
• Beware of deicing materials that may be released from the plow and keep your distance
from them.
• Motorists should make sure to have clear vision ahead and that passing is permitted
before attempting to pass a snowplow.
• After passing a snowplow, use caution when returning to the driving lane ahead of the
plow. The plow blade extends several feet ahead of the truck.
• Move as far away from the center line as safely possible when meeting a snowplow on a
two-lane road coming from the opposite direction.
• Watch for "white-outs" created by blowing snow coming off the snowplow blade.
• Don't travel beside a plow for sustained periods, especially when the plow is cutting
through deep snow. Plows can be pushed sideways after hitting drifts or snow banks.
The State Office of Emergency Management reminded New Yorkers of basic safety
actions they should follow over the course of the next few days.
OEM also recommends families check on emergency supplies to ensure they are
prepared for a period of time in the event of a power outage. Supplies such as flashlights
and extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, non-perishable foods that do not require
refrigeration and a non-electric can opener, bottled water (one gallon per person per
day), a first aid kit and extra blankets and sleeping bags.
For more information on how individuals can be better prepared for emergencies and for
winter safety tips, visit: www.semo.state.ny.us.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority agencies will each be activating weather plans
Monday night, with deicing of trains playing a prominent role. Customers are urged to
monitor www.mta.info before traveling through the duration of the storm, to allow extra
travel time and to be careful on platforms, stairs and when boarding trains and buses.
Motorists who need to check conditions can access winter weather travel updates at
https://www.nysdot.gov/wta. Real-time travel reports can also be accessed by phone
by dialing 511 or online at www.511ny.org. Travelers are reminded to check the newly
upgraded 511NY system, which includes a new free mobile device application that
provides New Yorkers with up-to-the-minute information regarding traffic, transit and
emergency service notifications as well as weather advisories. The new 511NY Mobile
Web for use on smart mobile devices is available at http://m.511ny.org, www.511ny.mobi
or www.511ny.org/511NYMobile.