Governor Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms with potentially damaging winds on Sunday. A weather system moving across the state tomorrow is expected to produce severe thunderstorms with potentially damaging winds in the afternoon, especially for areas in the Southern Tier and Mid-Hudson regions, including the Catskills. Strong winds with gusts up to or more than 70 mph are possible, as well as heavy rain, hail, and the chance of isolated tornados. Power outages and hazardous travel are likely, and damaging winds may occur with any thunderstorms that develops outside of the forecasted areas for severe impacts.
“We’re closely monitoring severe thunderstorms and damaging winds that are expected to move across the state and present hazardous travel conditions,” Governor Hochul said. “I urge New Yorkers to monitor their local forecasts and take proper precautions as the weather unfolds.”
New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at https://alert.ny.gov, a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov.
Agency Activities
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Division’s Office of Emergency Management is in contact with local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance. State stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed.
New York State Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with more than 3,700 supervisors and operators. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond. Staff can be configured into any type of response crews that are needed (flood response, chipper, load & haul, sewer jet, cut & toss, traffic signal, etc.). All residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed with operators, supervisors, and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.
Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
- 1,560 large dump trucks
- 338 large loaders
- 86 tracked and wheeled excavators
- 81 chippers
- 15 graders
- 16 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
- 13 tree crew bucket trucks
- 5 dozers
For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit www.511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.
Thruway Authority
The Thruway Authority has 655 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind or flood related issues across the state with small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable Variable Message Sign (VMS) boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps, and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. VMS and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway.
Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
- 350 large and small dump trucks
- 63 loaders
- 31 trailers
- 5 vac trucks
- 12 excavators
- 7 brush chippers
- 100 chainsaws
- 18 aerial trucks
- 22 skid steers
- 85 portable generators
- 67 portable light units
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 and follow @ThruwayTraffic on X for the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.
Department of Public Service
Utility companies regulated by the Department of Public Service have approximately 5,500 workers available statewide to engage in repair and restoration efforts for the forecasted winter weather system over the next few days. DPS staff will track utilities’ work throughout…
This article was originally published by a www.governor.ny.gov . Read the Original article here. .