Hochul Bans Travel in Parts of Upstate NY as Monster Storm Approaches

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency ahead of a weekend snowstorm that forecasters say might obliterate parts of New York State.

"Governor Kathy Hochul today announced her plans to issue a State of Emergency Thursday morning ahead of a winter storm forecast to impact portions of upstate New York with intense lake effect snow through Sunday." Governor.ny.gov

Significant snowfall is expected in parts of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and the North Country, and the warning from the Governor was a stern one.  Hochul expects that everyone in these areas will be impacted by the storm and that it's not just the road conditions that people need to be cautious about.

With snowfall rates expected to be near 3 inches per hour in some areas, local power outages are very likely as a result of the storm.

These following were the main points Governor Hochul addressed on Thursday morning after she declared a State of Emergency ahead of the massive storm expected throughout parts of NYS.

• Governor Hochul to Declare State of Emergency Ahead of Intense Lake Effect Snow Forecast for Portions of Upstate New York
• Several Feet of Snow is Expected in Buffalo and Watertown Areas Starting Wednesday Evening and Continuing Through Sunday
• Storm Expected to Cause Hazardous Travel Conditions and Potential Power Outages Resulting from Snow, Freezing Rain, and Gusty Winds
• New Yorkers Urged to Avoid Unnecessary Travel Thursday Evening Through Friday in Buffalo and Watertown Areas Due to Dangerous Conditions
• Beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, All Commercial Traffic Banned on NYS Thruway (I-90) from Exit 46 (Rochester - I-390) to Exit 61 (Ripley - Shortman Rd)
• State Agencies Directed to Prepare Emergency Response Assets

According to NewYorkUpstate.com, the NYS DOT also implemented a full commercial vehicle ban at the following locations beginning Thursday at 4 p.m. for the following areas.

• Interstate 190 - Route 62 to I-90
• Interstate 290 - full length
  Interstate 990 - full length
• Route 33 - full length
  Route 219 - Route 39 to I-90
• Route 400 - full length
  Buffalo Skyway Route 5 - full length
• I-81 - Exit 33 to the Canadian border - trucks use the right lane only

For tips on safety during a storm,  click here.