 |
| Crews working hard on removing snow from a highway. Courtesy: Governor of New York Twitter |
Many roads, including part of Thruway, remain closed: driving prohibited
For information on road conditions, call 511
State Emergency Operations Center still monitoring situation
 |
| New York National Guard helping with snow removal. |
The Governor declared a State of Emergency Tuesday night for affected counties so that residents can receive as much assistance as possible. With a significant amount of snow expected again today and tomorrow, the Governor has instructed the National Guard, the New York State Police, and all state agencies to prepare to help affected residents and roadways. State offices remain closed today in the counties declared States of Emergency.
“Tremendous progress has been made in clearing vital roads, with help getting here yesterday and more help
on the way,” Governor Cuomo said. “With that being said, phase two of the storm is on its way and safety continues to be our top priority. As snow removal efforts continue, we urge people to stay inside and off the roads so that we can get people back to their everyday routines as quickly as possible.”
The state has assembled over 1275 personnel and 658 pieces of heavy equipment including 463 plows, 129 loaders, 40 dump trucks and 26 snow blowers to continue to address snow removal. The New York State Department of Transportation will have a total of 347 snowplows, 880 operators and supervisors, 36 loaders and 17 large snow blowers working on this storm. The Department is fully stocked with road salt and has also activated private contractors to assist in clearing snow from roadways. Private contractors have committed 70 loaders, 40 large dump trucks and 220 personnel to assist in the cleanup. An additional 122 operators with 28 loaders and 33 dump trucks are expected to arrive later today.
The New York State Thruway Authority has a total of 281 plow operators and supervisors working on the storm, with 116 plow trucks, 23 front end loaders, four large snow blowers and 32,000 tons of salt. In addition, 12 operators, five large snow blowers, and two mechanics from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission arrived overnight to assist the Thruway with their snow clearing operations. State Police have 66 4x4 vehicles, 6 ATVs, 4 snowmobiles, and 3 four-wheel drive heavy duty armored vehicles assigned to storm response efforts.
 |
| Plow crews heading to the hard hit areas. |
Deployment of National Guard
The New York National Guard will continue to add troops and equipment to its joint task force operating from Buffalo’s Connecticut Street Armory today, Thursday, Nov. 20.
Over 300 Soldiers and Airmen will be on duty today conducting snow removal missions, traffic control missions, route reconnaissance and emergency medical personnel movement missions. Soldiers have also been clearing paths at the homes of disabled residents at the request of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Airmen from the 107th Airlift Wing have been removing snow from the roof of the Eden Heights Nursing Home in West Seneca. Additionally, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Mental Health are coordinating with the National Guard to provide transportation for staff in the affected areas to get to work so they can relieve staff at residential facilities, who have been working multiple, consecutive shifts because of the storm.
Teams of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been removing snow in Cheektowaga, Batavia, and Buffalo and conducting traffic control operations in West Seneca and at New York State Thruway on ramps.
Equipment on hand today will include two large Air Guard runway clearance snow blowers, 17 Bobcats, 2 D-8 bulldozers, 13 front end loaders, 43 dump trucks, and more than 50 humvees. More equipment will be made available as required.
 |
| A New York National Guardsman assists in the removal of snow. |
Air National Guard Airmen supporting the mission are assigned to the 107th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, and the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia.
Travel Bans
Travel bans are still in effect in these areas due to expected snowfall rates of 3-4 inches per hour and additional accumulation of 2 to 3 feet in the Lake Effect snow areas.
The following driving bans are in effect in Erie County: The Town of Elma, Town of Alden, Village of Alden, Town of Lancaster, Village of Lancaster, Town of Marilla, Town of Orchard Park, Town of West Seneca, City of Lackawanna, and the City of Buffalo (South Buffalo only).
The following driving bans are in effect for Genesee County: The Towns of Alexander, Le Roy (excluding the Village of Le Roy), Bethany, and Pavilion, Darien and Pembroke (including the Village of Corfu), due to a high number of abandoned vehicles and impassable roadways. No travel inside the Towns Alexander, Bethany, Darien, Penbroke, (including the Village of Corfu) and Pavilion, is permitted with the exception of Emergency Services.
Road Closures
Due to the current condition of roads, road closures will be in effect until further notice. Driving on these roads is strictly prohibited and is unsafe for workers clearing the roadway:
NYS Thruway (I-90) from Exit 46 near Rochester to Exit 61 in Ripley;
I-290 from Exit 6 (Sheridan Drive) to the Thruway (I-90);
I-190 Niagara Thruway from exit 1 (South Ogden Street, near Thruway mainline exit 53) to exit 16 (I-290, near South Grand Island Bridge);
Route 219 south from I-90 in West Seneca to Route 39 in Springville; Route 219 north from Route 242 in Ellicottville to I-90 in West Seneca.
Route 5 from Route 179 in the Village of Blasdell to I-190 in Buffalo
Route 400 N/S between I-90 to Olean Road
Ramp I-290 west to I-190 south in Erie County
NY Route 277 Union Road from Losson Rd to US Rte 20
Route 78 Transit Road from Como Park Blvd to Rehm Road in the Village of Depew
Walden Ave. from Genesee St. in the town of Alden to Route 277 in the Village of Depew
Route 33 (Genesee Street) remains closed in both directions (EB/WB) between Walden Avenue and the Wyoming County Line in the Town of Alden, Erie County
Public Transportation Delays and Cancellations
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Southtowns bus service is still suspended due to continuing snow and impassable roads. Buses are still operating in the City of Buffalo and in the north towns. The following Metro routes are not running at this time: 14,15,16, 27, 36,42, 46 , 68, 69,70,72,74,75, and 76. All other routes are operating, but may be running late.
Additionally, Amtrak will restore service to route 63 and 64, the Maple Leaf, between New York City and Toronto. All other Amtrak service west of Albany is suspended.
Power
As of 10:30am Thursday, there were about 315 New Yorkers in the region without power, down from over 9,000. To help with this, the New York State Public Service Commission will extend its call center helpline hours, which will continue Thursday, November 20th until 7:30 PM, as needed, to assist consumers in storm preparation and response efforts. The helpline number is 1-800-342-3377.
 |
| New York Governor holding a press briefing. |
State Emergency Operations Center Open
Governor Cuomo activated the New York State Emergency Operations Center in Albany on Monday, November 17 at 8:00 PM, which will stay open through Monday evening. Personnel from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (with staff from the Office of Emergency Management as well as the Office of Fire Prevention and Control), Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Thruway, State Police, Public Service Commission and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs are on hand to provide assistance.
The storm is continuously being monitored by the Office of Emergency Management, which is in close contact with the National Weather Service and the affected counties and municipalities. The Office has stockpiles ready to deploy to counties that request them, including resources such as generators and storm supplies. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has regional directors and staff from the Office of Emergency Management in the county Emergency Operations Centers. The Office of Fire Prevention and Control has staff activated or deployed and currently operating at the New York State Emergency Operations Center, Erie County Emergency Operations Center, the City of Buffalo and has activated the UTV-Snowmobile task force.
The Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Erie County are managing a team of local and state agencies to assist with Response efforts. Teams are using specialized vehicles and equipment including ATVs, snow mobiles, K-9 teams, search cameras and listening devices to search through inaccessible areas of buildings and large snow mounds.
Additionally, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control has deployed teams including Urban Search and Rescue units to address structural collapse issues due to additional heavy snowfall, and is coordinating with local and regional collapse rescue assets in Erie, Monroe and Cayuga counties for potential deployment to any incident in the affected areas. Special Operations Branch staff have deployed to Erie County equipped to support size up and initial search operations at structural collapse incidents. Additional units are staged and ready for rapid deployment in Western New York and Northern Adirondacks if needed.
Use Caution If Travel Is Necessary
It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit, to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time.
Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted.
Some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include:
Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered;
Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles;
Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations;
Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces;
Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing;
Have a cell phone handy, if possible, but do not text while driving; distracted driving is illegal and becomes even more dangerous during storm events;
Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound;
Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes;
Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival; and
Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound.
Motorists should also include the following emergency items in their vehicles:
Flashlight with extra batteries
Charged cell phone and automobile charger
Basic first-aid kit
Blankets or sleeping bags
Extra clothes, including rain gear, boots, mittens, and socks
Windshield scraper and brush
Fire extinguisher
Shovel
Sand, road salt and/or cat litter for traction
Tire chains or traction mats
Basic tool kit, including pliers, wrench, and screwdriver
Tow rope
Battery jumper cables
Road flares/reflectors
Brightly colored cloth (to use as a flag)
Road maps
Heavy exertion, such as shoveling snow, clearing debris, or pushing a car, can increase the risk of a heart attack. To avoid problems:
Stay warm, dress warm and SLOW DOWN when working outdoors.
Take frequent rests to avoid over exertion.
If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain in the jaw or radiating down the arm -- STOP and seek help immediately.
If You Lose Power:
First, call your utility to determine area repair schedules.
Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
If heat goes out during a winter storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.
Alternative Heating Safety Tips
Other Home Safety Tips:
When removing snow and ice from driveways and sidewalks, stay clear of electric and natural gas meters to avoid damaging them, inadvertently disrupting service or putting yourself in danger. Snow and ice can damage electric and natural gas meters, natural gas pipes and natural gas regulators, so never bury any of this equipment when shoveling, using a snowblower or plowing.
When removing snow or ice from a roof, never let it fall on electric or natural gas meters or related equipment.
Natural gas appliance chimneys and vents should be kept free of snow and ice to prevent the build-up of potentially-deadly carbon monoxide.
Be prepared if you smell natural gas. If you smell that distinctive sulfur-like odor – like the smell of rotten eggs – get up, get out and call your utility immediately from a cell phone or neighbor’s phone.
The New York State Department of Transportation provides a travel advisory system that features real-time travel reports and can be accessed by dialing 511, online at www.511ny.org, or via a downloadable smart phone app. The web site features a color-coded map indicating which state roads are snow covered, ice covered, wet, dry, or closed to help travelers determine if travel is advisable. The system provides real-time snow and ice conditions for interstates and other heavily traveled roads, as reported by snowplow operators.
Motorists can sign up for TRANSAlert emails regarding Thruway traffic conditions at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/index.shtml. Thruway travelers are encouraged to visit www.Thruway.ny.gov for real-time traffic updates. To see an interactive map including Google traffic conditions for the Thruway and other roadways in New York State and beyond, visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=traffic.
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services also recommends that residents should prepare their homes and families for winter weather. This includes stocking up on supplies in the event a winter storm or power outage prevents you from leaving your home. Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs to see if they are in need of assistance. Additional safety tips can be found on the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website at: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/safety-info/publicsafety/winter.cfm.
Photos from the Lancaster, New York police department are below.
No comments:
Post a Comment