With a major blizzard threatening the Northeast, Gov. Kathy Hochul speaking at a state snow removal equipment depot in Latham, New York, has declared a State of Emergency in 22 counties. They include Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. She also activated the New York National Guard. Forecasts rapidly worsened and now indicate 18 to 24 inches of snow with winds potentially gusting at over 60 mph for Long Island and New York City.
The Hudson Valley is forecast to see 12 to 18 inches of snow, while the Capital Region could see eight to 12 inches. Other areas of New York will see totals from one to six inches of snow. These blizzard conditions will create extremely dangerous travel conditions, coastal flooding and the potential for power outages.
Gov. Hochul, left, checks out snow removal equipment at Latham, NY.
In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont activated the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol with the activation remaining in effect until at least noon on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
The purpose of Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold, which could be life threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.
“It will be extremely dangerous to be outside during this storm, and we want to get the word out that shelters and warming centers are open statewide for anyone who needs a safe place to stay warm,” Lamont said.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins declared a State of Emergency for the county effective Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. Following guidance from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Westchester County ordered a complete ban on road travel beginning at 9 p.m. Feb. 22, through 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23.
The road ban was imposed due to hazardous winter weather conditions expected overnight, including heavy snowfall and wind. Roads were ordered closed to all but essential travel (police, fire and ambulance).
Jenkins said, “We are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of our residents.”
Residents were urged to charge all electronic devices in advance in case of power outages, secure outdoor items due to expected high winds and monitor local forecasts and official updates.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day declared a State of Emergency for Rockland County effective 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Day said that all vehicles should remain off the roads in Rockland for the duration of the emergency.
“This decisive action is necessary to protect lives and ensure our road crews can clear snow as quickly and safely as possible,” Day said. “Visibility will be extremely limited and travel will become dangerous very quickly. Keeping vehicles off the roads allows plows and emergency responders to operate without obstruction. We are asking every resident to comply so we can get through this storm safely.”
The Board of Selectmen for the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, in declaring a State of Emergency for the town, noted that the major forecast models were projecting that the Greenwich region could potentially see as many as 15 to 20 inches of snow during the blizzard with winds possibly gusting as high as 55 to 60 miles per hour.
Hochul said that the state is stockpiling extra equipment and emergency response personnel at the ready to be deployed.
“DOT (Department of Transportation), Thruway Authority have more than 2,000 plows at the ready to clear the roads,” Hochul said. “We have over 5,800 utility workers across the area ready to respond and repair as soon as possible. MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is closely monitoring the storm and ready to make sure that the platforms and the stairs are salted, and all the equipment and infrastructure is ready to operate. But this is why if you expect to and hope to travel on our Downstate public transportation network over the next couple of days, you need to check and make sure that services are not being disrupted. Expect widespread flight cancellations. The airports Downstate will not be functioning anywhere near normal situation on Sunday and Monday, and probably lots of cancellations.”
Following guidance from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Westchester County ordered a complete ban on road travel from 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, through 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23.
The road ban is being implemented due to hazardous winter weather conditions expected overnight, including heavy snowfall and wind. Roads are closed to all but essential travel (police, fire and ambulance).
Residents were told to stay off the roads during the ban time to allow emergency crews and road treatment teams to operate safely and effectively. The county said that travel conditions are expected to be treacherous to impossible, particularly during the overnight hours.
A forecast discussion by meteorologists for the National Weather Service that was reviewed by Westfair’s Westchester County Business Journal explained that with most storms one inch of water from the storm produces 10 inches of snow, but this storm has become so intense that one inch of water is expected to produce 13 inches of snow. The storm is expected to release up to the equivalent of two inches of rain water, which as snow could amount to 26 inches.
New York Attorney General Letitia James urged residents to be aware of possible price gouging by unscrupulous merchants seeking to make extra money as a result of the storm.
“Winter weather is no excuse for price gouging,” James said. “I encourage everyone to be vigilant and report examples of price gouging in their community to my office.”
She said that New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging law covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was one of the local leaders declaring a state of emergency in their communities.
“Yonkers knows how to respond when winter weather moves in,” Spano said when announcing the emergency to begin Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. “With crews mobilized and our full fleet of plows ready to cover more than 650 lane miles of roadway, we are prepared for whatever this storm brings. We urge residents to use caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and allow our teams the space they need to keep our streets clear and safe.”
The president of electric operations in Connecticut for the utility Eversource said the company has been monitoring the storm and its path over the last several days using various weather services.
“While the track of this storm has been wobbling, making it tough to predict its impacts, its path is more certain now,” Steve Sullivan said. “The high winds forecast, coupled with the snow amounts and heavier snow consistency than we’ve seen in recent storms – this has the potential to bring down trees and branches onto electric lines and equipment, causing damage and power outages. Our line and tree crews around the state are ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible to whatever this storm brings, but the hazardous weather will make travel and work conditions challenging for our crews, so response times will likely be impacted.”