Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers across New York State to prepare for severe storms and strong winds beginning late Sunday afternoon and into Monday. In addition to the ongoing heat advisory, the National Weather Service has predicted that the Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Central New York regions have an increased risk of being affected by these storms. Forecasts in these regions call for heavy rain, damaging winds, hail and the possibility of isolated tornadoes. Locally heavy rainfall may also cause minor flooding in low-lying areas as well as those with poor drainage.
In response, Governor Hochul has directed state agencies to prepare emergency response resources and personnel to ensure localities have the support they need in the event of a severe impact. New Yorkers are being encouraged to closely follow their local forecasts, check on neighbors and stay safe throughout the duration of the storms
“While a heat advisory remains in effect until late this afternoon with temperatures as high as 97 degrees, severe thunderstorms are forecast to move across the state later today and tonight bringing much-needed relief to New Yorkers who have been battling high heat over the past several days,” Governor Hochul said. “I have directed state agencies to prepare emergency response tools should our county partners need assistance. In the meantime, I urge New Yorkers to monitor these severe storms and prepare now in the event of a power outage.”
Storms will move west to east during the afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front bringing relief from the stifling heat and humidity. On Monday, New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley will be at a slight risk of severe weather. Rain from west to east will taper off on Monday, while milder and drier weather is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
For a complete list of the latest weather watches, warnings, advisories and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.
New York Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “The storms expected across much of the Upstate have the potential to cause real damage, and New Yorkers should do everything they can to prepare and stay safe. The State Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring these storms and our teams are prepared to support our local partners however we can.”
AGENCY PREPARATIONS
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Emergency Operations Center is monitoring weather and travel conditions and will coordinate response needs with local governments. State stocks are prepared to deploy assets to localities to support any storm-related needs, including pumps, chainsaws, sandbags, generators, cots, blankets and bottled water.
Department of Transport
The Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and is prepared to respond with more than 3,200 supervisors and operators. Staff can be configured into any type of response crew that is needed (flood response, shredder, load and haul, sewer, cut and dump, traffic signal, etc.). The nationwide device numbers are as follows:
• 1297 large dump trucks
• 304 large loaders
• 81 track and wheeled excavators
• 72 chips
• 19 students of the class
• 15 vacuum trucks with sewage jet
• 14 tree crew bucket trucks
Thruway Authority
The Thruway Authority has 640 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind or flood-related issue throughout the state with small and medium excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, generators, pumps, and hauling trailer equipment, as well as signage and other traffic control equipment available for any diversion or closure. Variable message signs and social media are used to alert drivers of Thruway weather conditions.
During this heat wave, Thruway staff have been monitoring road conditions and performing welfare checks on disabled vehicles.
The nationwide device numbers are as follows:
- 346 Large and Small Dump Trucks
- 65 Big Loaders
- 7 vacuum trucks
- 16 Tracked and wheeled excavators
- 8 brush chippers
- 99 Chainsaw
- 19 bucket trucks
- 84 Portable Generators
- 67 Portable Light Units
The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free download on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides drivers with direct access to live traffic cameras, real-time traffic information and navigation assistance while on the move. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails that provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway, follow @ThruwayTraffic on Twitter and visit thruway.ny.gov to view an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other roads of New York State.
Department of Environmental Protection
DEC Environmental Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management Staff and regional staff are on standby and monitoring the developing situation and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure that may be affected by severe weather. All available tools, including swift water rescue teams, are positioned to assist with any emergency response.
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
New York State Park Police and park personnel are on standby and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park visitors should check parks.ny.gov or call their local park office for the latest updates on park hours, openings and closings.
New York Power Authority / Canal Corporation
The New York Power Authority and the New York State Canal Corporation are monitoring conditions and preparing all assets for weather protection. NYPA and Canals representatives will remain in close contact with state, county and local emergency personnel as needed. NYPA is prepared to dispatch NYPA broadcast and other personnel to assist if necessary. The Canal Corporation will update the public as needed through its Mariners announcements. Members of the public can register to receive these notices on the Canal Corporation website.
Department of Public Service
New York Utilities has approximately 6,400 workers available, as needed, to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts throughout New York State for potential severe weather. Agency staff will follow the work of the utilities throughout the event and ensure that the utilities move appropriate personnel to the regions experiencing the greatest impact.
New York State Police
The State Police is ready to send additional forces as needed to the affected areas. All specialized State Police vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles and utility vehicles, are on scene and ready for immediate response. All of the Corps’ emergency power and communications equipment has been tested.
Severe weather safety tips
PREPAREDNESS
• Know the county you live in and the names of nearby towns. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county basis.
• Learn the safest route from your home or business to high, safe ground if you need to leave in a hurry.
• Develop and practice a ‘family getaway’ plan and identify a meeting place if family members get separated.
• Make a detailed list of all valuables, including furniture, clothing and other personal property. Keep the list in a safe place.
• Gather emergency supplies of canned food, medicine and first aid supplies and drinking water. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.
• Plan what to do with your pets.
• Have a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries and emergency cooking equipment available.
• Keep your vehicle fueled or charged. If the power goes out, gas stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.
Have disaster supplies on hand, including:
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Radio with batteries and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards
Flash flood
• Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
• If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• Don’t underestimate the power of fast moving water. Two feet of fast-moving floodwater will float your car, and water moving two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.
Lightning
• Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, lightning is close enough to strike you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last lightning strike, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
• Lightning strikes the highest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly descend below it and crouch if you are in an exposed area.
• If you can’t get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far from a tree as it is tall.
For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Emergency Services and Homeland Security Safety Tips website at www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.
