Agency Operations
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The State’s Emergency Operations Center and the Fire Operations Center are open and actively monitoring weather reports and incidents across the state to facilitate the State’s response to the storm. The Office of Emergency Management and The Office of Fire Prevention and Control have equipment and personnel available to assist with requests.
Across the State’s Ten Stockpiles, DHSES has the following deployable items to support storm-related needs:
- 1,487 generators
- 985 pumps
- 528 chainsaws
- 250 light towers
- Cots, pillows, blankets, water, and MREs
Department of Public Service
New York’s utilities have approximately 7,700 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, wire guarding, response, repair, and restoration efforts.
- This includes an additional 800 external line and tree workers secured by National Grid,
- 330 external line and tree workers secured by NYSEG and RG&E,
- 95 external line and tree workers secured by Central Hudson,
- 150 external line and tree workers secured by Orange & Rockland and
- 800 external line and tree workers secured by Con Edison.
DPS staff will track utilities’ response, repair and restoration work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate resources to regions that experience the greatest impact.
As a result of the severe weather, the Department has extended its OCS Call Center Helpline hours 7:30 p.m. Friday to assist New Yorkers in storm response and restoration efforts. The number is (800) 342-3377.
Department of Transportation
The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and is responding with 3,450 supervisors and operators. Additionally, 75 ICS personnel are available to support the response to this event. All affected residency locations will be staffed for 24/7 operation throughout the duration of the event. Staff can be configured into any type of response crew that is needed such as snow and ice, flood, chipper, load and haul, cut and toss, traffic signal, etc. All available equipment is fully engaged or ready to deploy.
A driving ban has been issued in Erie County and the City of Buffalo; and the following roads in Erie County are closed to all traffic until conditions improve:
- State Route 400
- State Route 219
- I-290
- I-190
- State Route 5 (Big Tree Road to I-190)
Additionally, the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge border crossings are all closed to inbound traffic.
A restriction for trucks “Trucks Use Right Lane” on Interstate 81 from Exit 32 (Central Square) to Exit 51 (Alex Bay) starting at noon Friday. Additionally, several roads in the Hudson Valley are closed to do flooding or downed trees. NYSDOT crews are fully engaged in debris removal, assessing the situation and will re-open the roads as soon as conditions permit.
Regional crews continue to engage in all-hazards preparations. Drainage structures are being checked and cleared of debris. To support response activities in critical areas, a total of 71 staff, including 65 plow truck operators, 4 supervisors, 1 assistant manager, 1 ICS support specialist, 13 plow trucks, 2 snow blowers, and 1 grader are being deployed to Western New York and the North Country. They are distributed as follows:
Western New York
- 3 plow trucks from Central New York
- 2 plow trucks, 2 snow blowers, and 1 grader from the Finger Lakes
- 4 operators and 2 plow trucks the Western Southern Tier
- 26 operators, 2 supervisors, and 1 assistant manager from the Mid-Hudson Region
- 10 operators, 1 supervisor, and 3 plow trucks from the Southern Tier
- 19 operators and 1 supervisor from Long Island
- 1 ICS specialist from the Capital District
- 2 operators and 1 plow truck from the Capital District
- 2 operators and 1 plow truck from the Mohawk Valley
- 2 operators and 1 plow truck from Central NY
The need for additional resources (Operators, Trucks, Mechanics, EOI’s) will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. Generator stockpiles are being readied for deployment to support dark signal response. Fleet mechanics in affected areas will be staffing all main residency locations 24/7 to perform repairs and keep trucks on the road. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
- 1740 large and medium duty plow trucks
- 52 tow plows
- 37 snow blowers
- 338 loaders
- 13 tree crew bucket trucks
- 78 chippers
- 32 traffic signal trucks
- 20 graders
- 73 excavators
For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.
Thruway Authority
Thruway Authority maintenance facilities are staffed around the clock and responding to the storm with 678 operators and supervisors statewide. Thruway has shifted and deployed additional staff and equipment from its New York and Albany Divisions to support snow and ice operations in Western New York. Deployed resources include large plow trucks and operators. Additional resources are on standby and ready to shift as needed.
ALL VEHICLES are banned on the New York State Thruway (I-90) from exit 46 (Rochester I-390) to the Pennsylvania border, and on the Niagara Thruway (I-190) from I-90 to exit 22 (Route 62) until further notice.
Thruway statewide equipment numbers and resources include:
- 364 large and medium duty plow trucks
- 10 tow plows
- 66 loaders
- More than 123,000 tons of salt on hand
Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway. Follow the Thruway Authority on Twitter: @NYSThruway & @ThruwayTraffic and on Facebook: NYS Thruway Authority.
The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras, and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.
New York State Police
The State Police have added extra patrols throughout Western New York and in Jefferson County to respond as needed. All four-wheel drive and specialty vehicles are in service, including utility task vehicles and snowmobiles.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority is monitoring weather conditions. Speed restrictions may be in effect at the bridges, as well as along roadways to and from the crossings. Passengers through the Port Authority’s facilities are encouraged to reach out to carriers and airlines directly for the latest information on delays and cancelations. For the latest information about Port Authority facilities, please check social media, sign up for PA alerts or download one of the PA mobile apps, including RidePATH which provides real-time updates and alerts for PATH service.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority is closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure safe, reliable service. MTA employees will be poised to respond to any weather-related issues and remove any downed trees that may fall across tracks.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels banned empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks through 8:00 p.m. Friday. Pedestrian walkways at the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge will be closed during this same time period; pedestrian walkways at the RFK Bridge and Henry Hudson Bridge may close depending on weather conditions.
Customers are encouraged to check new.mta.info for the latest service updates, and to use caution while navigating the system. Customers should also sign up for real-time service alerts via text or email. These alerts are also available via the MTA’s apps: MYmta and TrainTime.
