Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in Oswego County and several other counties in New York due to a severe winter storm. The storm is expected to bring up to three feet of snow and strong wind gusts to areas east of Lake Ontario by Saturday (December 14). The declaration aims to ensure that communities have the necessary resources to stay safe during the storm.
The state of emergency covers Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Wyoming, and contiguous counties. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of staying off the roads to allow snow plows to operate safely. "I encourage all New Yorkers to stay alert, stay off the roads if possible, and keep in contact with family and friends as we move through the next 48 hours," Hochul said in a statement.
The New York State Thruway Authority has implemented a ban on tandem and empty tractor-trailers on the Thruway (I-90) from Exit 53 in Buffalo to the Pennsylvania state line. The Department of Transportation has also issued a similar ban for several other routes in the affected areas.
State resources, including plow trucks and additional personnel, are being deployed to assist in managing the storm's impact. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather conditions through the National Weather Service and other reliable sources.