The winter storm has left parts of New York City disheveled with no plan to stop either.
Governor of New York City, Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in Western New York.15 counties are under a State of Emergency as the winter storm surges dangerously in parts of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario for Jan 13.
The situation is also being monitored in the north as the administration is keeping a check on the forecast. The city is expecting “blizzard-like, whiteout conditions” from Saturday night up to Monday morning with temperatures to significantly drop. Strong winds up to 70mph might cause power outages along with snow up to a foot or more are expected.
The following counties are under a state of emergency: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego and Wyoming due to the life-threatening weather conditions.
Possible Outcomes
According to the Governor’s press release, the authority is expecting travel and transportation difficulties during the storm due to the snow whiteout.
Along with that, the New Yorkers are asked to pay attention to the ailing weather and make plans accordingly. The authorities know people would be planning to attend the Buffalo Bills against the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Sunday which they are encouraging them to enjoy from home but if planning to attend then they should travel with weather updates and extreme caution.
The New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Thruway Authority also planned on issuing a ban on trucks and trailers as a further safety measure from Jan 13.
The governor has also placed 100 Members of the New York National Guard to areas of Western New York for public safety and emergency response.
A Winter Storm Watch for heavy lake effect snow has also been issued by NWS Buffalo for Saturday afternoon following Monday morning. The affected areas are east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with parts of Western NY and the North.
Forecast for New York City
The city is expecting a rainstorm on Friday night with heavy rain and damaging winds up to 28 mph up to Saturday morning.
Along with the city, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson regions have been issued with coastal flood alerts.
Early Measurements for the Storm
The National Weather Service has also taken early precautions for the storm, with early watches and warnings along with safety measures.
The website alerts.weather.gov updates the people with weather alerts. Winter storm warnings would be issued for Genesee, Wyoming and Erie counties and for Orleans and Niagara counties from Jan 12 morning.
Along with that, the National Weather Service has also upgraded its perimeter of watch to high wind warnings which includes the entire regions of four-county, the GLOW region. It includes the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.
The Department of Public Service will also regulate electric utility companies having approximately 11,000 workers, who will respond to and repair electrical lines to have fewer power cuts during the winter event statewide.
Even last year, Kathy Hochul imposed a state of emergency in parts of NYC due to extreme rainfall in September 2023.
Such extreme weather conditions pose a great threat to lives and include a lot of infrastructural damage which puts a strain on the finances of the state.
All the departments of the State, the Department of Public Service, the State Police as well as the DEC are working collectively as well as the citizens are being updated regularly regarding safety measures to fight against the upcoming winter storm.
