Governor Hochul: “We already have over 52,000 households without power, 42,000 of which are in Western New York. So, we don't have the time for the restoration because they can't get the bucket trucks up there when the winds are still so high. So, we're asking families look out for each other, check on neighbors and just that they'll be restored by morning, but we think these numbers are actually going to get quite a bit higher during the night. So, that's my main concern.”
Hochul: “We have generators, and we have Swift Water Rescue Teams in the Hudson Valley just in case they're needed like they were this summer. And our National Guard is ready, already deployed. And we have people positioned around Stewart Air Force Base, JFK and the City of Buffalo. So, that's the top-of-the-line message right now, but we’re watching this very, very closely from our Emergency Operations Center.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on Spectrum News to update New Yorkers on the extreme weather across the state.
AUDIO of the Governor's remarks is available here.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Marisa Jacques, Spectrum News: Welcome to your evening here on Spectrum News 1. We're going to get right to our top story. We've been talking about the weather. Joining us now to talk through how the state is handling the situation is Governor Hochul.
Casey Bortnick, Spectrum News: Governor, we appreciate you being here. We're hearing about a number of concerns. What's your top priority right now and what should New Yorkers be preparing for at this point?
Governor Hochul: My number one concern is – as we deal with – we're in the throes of a major winter storm, is that there'll be many New Yorkers without power this evening. And with the freezing temperatures, this could create a dangerous situation. The wind is very high in Western New York, Central New York and the North Country. We already have over 52,000 households without power, 42,000 of which are in Western New York. So, we don't have the time for the restoration because they can't get the bucket trucks up there when the winds are still so high. So, we're asking families look out for each other, check on neighbors and just that they'll be restored by morning, but we think these numbers are actually going to get quite a bit higher during the night. So, that's my main concern.
But after that, I am very concerned about the possibility of flooding, especially in the Hudson Valley, which has been so vulnerable to even a 1,000-year storm event this summer where we had a loss of life and cars really swept away. So, that's what we're facing, not just today, but over the next few days with the melting snow and the four inches of rain that's coming. So, those are my main concerns, but also the safety of New Yorkers on the roads. And if you don't have to be out, please stay home tonight. We have a ban on empty tractor trailers in large parts of our state, so I would check the local news to see what is going on in your area, but right now we have our state operations center activated as of early this afternoon and we have utility crews deployed and we're ready to go.
We have generators, and we have Swift Water Rescue Teams in the Hudson Valley just in case they're needed like they were this summer. And our National Guard is ready, already deployed. And we have people positioned around Stewart Air Force Base, JFK and the City of Buffalo. So, that's the top-of-the-line message right now, but we’re watching this very, very closely from our Emergency Operations Center.
Marisa Jacques, Spectrum News: Governor, what lessons did you learn last winter, in particular, in Western New York when we saw power outages there and huge snows? Obviously, his storm is different because it doesn't have the chill with it that those storms did. I think the good news may be that it will be a little bit warmer tomorrow, but what lessons are learned in terms of getting those crews out right away to where they need to be, so they can act as soon as they're able to get up there and look at some of those power lines?
Governor Hochul: One critical lesson from that is that we have to make sure there's pathways to get to the substations. When the power goes out and the temperatures are bitter and moms and families are homes with little kids, they cannot go along without heat. So, some of the lessons learned by the utility companies were that they had to anticipate that literally the place where the electricity generates from could be frozen shut. That's what happened in Buffalo. People could not access them. The snow drifts were so high that they went for days not being able to get the power restored. So, that was important. I think the lessons were learned and they're heating them. So, they're keeping a very close eye on access to those facilities where the power could need to come back down.
The other lesson, too, is we need people to please stay home. There was such a tragic loss of life from people who ventured out in the snow, especially Western New York. Buffalonians are tough, and they think they can handle anything, and many times they can't, but it's just not worth the risk. And that's for snow.
I'm very concerned about people getting in their vehicles around the Hudson Valley, the Mohawk Valley, all these areas where we're going to see significant flooding. And it doesn't take much for your vehicle to be swept away. Even just a couple inches of rain can be treacherous. So, I think the moral of the story tonight is if you're done with your commute for the day, hunker down, stay in and be prepared for the possibility of utility crews not being able to help restore the power till at least morning.
Casey Bortnick, Spectrum News: Governor, I want to talk about your hometown, Western New York. You put out this message yesterday, and there's been some ban on empty trucks. And, again, you mentioned that yesterday, and we still turn on the TV, and see the images of those tractor trailers blown over. I know you probably want to repeat that message. Is that frustrating for you to have to see those images regardless?
Governor Hochul: Of course, it is. And it makes our state police and our emergency responders get distracted trying to move the trucks off the roads. We don't block traffic and have a situation where literally the traffic could be stalled for a long time and it's very cold and icy. So, yes, I want to remind everybody, empty trucks and trailers and all tandem trucks are banned on Route 5, the Skyway, 219, 400, the 290, the 190, everywhere you can think of. So, check our website to find out what's closed. But in Western New York, please be smart about it. The truck drivers need to know that we are enforcing the law and it's a shame that we have to be out there because people are ignoring our warnings and putting themselves and other motorists in danger.
Marisa Jacques, Spectrum News: Governor, we'll go a little bit early into the storm right now, but any thoughts about any declarations of State of Emergency anywhere in New York State? Are you waiting to see how things play out in the night, and then maybe more on that tomorrow?
Governor Hochul: We will wait a little bit longer because we are prepared for this storm. We have normally 5,000 utility crews on call, we have over 10,000 to be able to respond to this storm. We pre-positioned trucks, we pre salted the roads, we have generators all over the state. But if we need to declare an emergency to seek federal assistance, which is the purpose of the Declaration of Emergency, we'll certainly look at that.
We’re monitoring very, very closely. The entire team will be working through the night to keep me up to date on what is happening. And I'll be prepared to make that announcement as soon as we think it's necessary.
Casey Bortnick, Spectrum News: Alright. Governor Hochul, we appreciate some of your time. We are here in Upstate New York. And we know the warnings are important, but we know based on what you've been telling us so far, it appears we are prepared. We really appreciate you taking the time.
Governor Hochul: Alright, thank you very much. Bye-bye.