Governor Hochul: “Plows are ready, we have personnel deployed, we have our emergency operations center stood up – we've been doing this since Wednesday in anticipation. So a lot of it from our end is getting the salt ready, the generators, we need warming centers, if utility crews are necessary, we have 5,000 ready to go.”
Hochul: “[W]e're anticipating a lot of ice and freezing rain… by six o'clock snow will be in the entire Hudson Valley. Four o'clock, it'll start around the Western Hudson area. And we could actually get about 18 inches of snow in areas like the Catskills.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined WCBS 880 to update New Yorkers on extreme weather as a significant storm system moves through the State, bringing heavy rain and strong winds causing a potential for flooding and power outages.
AUDIO of the Governor's remarks is available here.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Suzanne Colucci, WCBS 880: A major winter storm is upon us, set to bring us the first real snowfall in two years. How much you get really depends on where you live. To help New Yorkers prepare, we're joined live now by Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor Suzanne Colucci here, thanks so much for taking the time to be with us.
Governor, you've weathered a lot of winter storms since you've been in office. How's this one different? Any new information to share for us?
Governor Hochul: Yes, Suzanne. And thank you for bringing this important information to your listeners and having spent most of my adult life and childhood in Buffalo, I know a lot about how to manage storms and most of it comes down to being prepared in advance.
And so our team has been tracking this closely. We have a brand new first in the nation State Weather Risk Communication Center that gives us up to the minute information, analytics, what's happening in real time. So this is the first real storm we're able to use this and it's been phenomenal. We can track incredible information that's so important for us to pass on to your listeners.
It will be basically a classic Nor'easter. I don't think New York City will be getting the snow, I think they have to wait longer than the 692 days they've gone without a real snowstorm, so it will not be happening. But certainly the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region will be hit, and really about two-thirds to three-quarters of the State will have eight to 12 inches, which is a lot for the first of the year.
Suzanne Colucci, WCBS 880: That's a lot.
Governor Hochul: Plows are ready, we have personnel deployed, we have our emergency operations center stood up – we've been doing this since Wednesday in anticipation. So a lot of it from our end is getting the salt ready, the generators, we need warming centers, if utility crews are necessary, we have 5,000 ready to go.
That's what you do to handle this, you be ready in advance.
Suzanne Colucci, WCBS 880: Alright, Governor. Now, I-287 is usually the dividing line in Westchester between the areas that get not so much to the south and the areas that get a lot to the north. Is that pretty much how this is tracking and do you expect bridges will start to close later on this evening?
Governor Hochul: Right, and that's what's concerning. Once you get to the water, even if it's like freezing rain and not even snow, it can freeze once the temperatures drop. It's black ice. The bridges can become treacherous. We're advising motorists – don't go out on the roads tonight unless absolutely necessary. We have a lot of warning on our throughway, particularly for our truckers, because you get a jackknife truck, and they can paralyze traffic for hours.
And that's what we're talking about. It is that traditional line. I think the City will be spared, except for some sleet and freezing rain. I don't think they'll get the accumulation. But again, you can have predictions, but we won't know until the storm is over whether we hit the threshold of counting the snow for the City.
But again, just as you said, north and further west, it is going to be a tough night for people on the roads. And so, the best thing to do – this is the night to stay home, watch some movies, take down the Christmas tree, read some of the books you got for the holidays. And that'll help us with our plows, which have already pre-salted all the roads.
So, we're anticipating a lot of ice and freezing rain, but it should really abate by the morning. So, it's perfect timing in that it's hitting on a weekend as opposed to a weekday when people are traveling to work. So, I think by six o'clock snow will be in the entire Hudson Valley. Four o'clock, it'll start around the Western Hudson area. And we could actually get about 18 inches of snow in areas like the Catskills. We want our ski resorts to have plenty of snow, so this is a positive dynamic for them.
Suzanne Colucci, WCBS 880: That is a lot, Governor. And a second storm now, also expected early next week. How are you gearing up for that one?
Governor Hochul: This could be problematic because when we start getting the snow that does fall from this weekend event starting to melt, and couple that with more rain coming in, it'll be a heavy rain event, we could have significant flooding.
Alright, so start clearing your snow, clear the drains, clearing culverts, we're doing all that ourselves. But we're asking homeowners to keep an eye on that as well, so we don't have any unnecessary flooding. But we're prepared for that as well.
Suzanne Colucci, WCBS 880: Alright, certainly.
Governor Hochul: We have a very experienced team, I must say. Many extreme weather events since I've been Governor for two years. But our team knows how to handle it. Asking for the cooperation of New Yorkers. And again, thanks to you for giving us a chance to speak to people directly.
Suzanne Colucci, WCBS 880: Alright. Governor Kathy Hochul, thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us and update our listeners today about this winter storm that's now arriving. Thanks again.
Governor Hochul: Thank you.