Hochul Declares State Of Emergency As NY Braces For Nor'Easter's Impacts

NEW YORK — As a powerful nor'easter slams New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency.

"Due to the ongoing nor’easter, I’m declaring a State of Emergency for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester," Hochul wrote on X. "We’re ready to assist local partners as damaging winds and heavy rain move in, with the potential for flooding and power outages. Stay vigilant and take steps now to prepare."

And, Hochul added on X: "NYC, LI and Westchester, if you have above ground power lines be prepared to wake up tomorrow without power. Wind gusts may hit 60+mph and power outages are likely. We’ve been coordinating with utilities and over 7,000 line men and women are in state able to respond."

Earlier in the day, Hochul outlined the states preparedness plans. The storm strengthened as it has moved up the mid-Atlantic coast toward southern New England and is expected to cause widespread moderate to major coastal flooding throughout downstate New York, along with bringing strong winds and long duration rain to the region, Hochul said.

In response, utilities have added more than 1,600 workers throughout the Long Island, mid-Hudson, and New York City regions to support storm response operations, she said.

"As this strong coastal storm approaches, New Yorkers need to heed the precautionary measures and monitor their local forecasts," Hochul said. "With high wind warnings and flood risks, staying alert, vigilant and taking steps to prepare is crucial for everyone’s safety. Our state agencies are at-the-ready to assist New Yorkers from any impacts the strong coastal storm will bring."

Hochul said residents should avoid travel during the storm. She added that the New York State Department of Public Service' staff has been in communication with the electric utilities with service territories in the forecasted area anticipated to be affected by the storm.

PSEG Long Island, Con Edison, Orange and Rockland, Central Hudson Gas and Electric, and NYSEG are all actively monitoring forecasts and preparing for potential impacts to their respective service territories, she said.

Utility preparations have included bringing in an additional 1,618 workers, activation of respective incident command, staging equipment, conducting outbound calls to Life Support Equipment customers and critical facility customers in the areas anticipated to receive the most impacts, as well as conducting municipal officials calls, she said.

Utility crews are prepared to operate in the overnight hours to respond where it is safe to do so. All utilities continue to monitor the forecast and will make resource adjustments in alignment with existing emergency plans, Hochul said.

The utilities have about 7,118 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, response, repair, and restoration efforts across the state, as necessary. That includes the addition of more than 1,600 workers since Friday, with PSEG LI adding 520 workers, ConEd and Orange and Rockland adding 900 workers, NYSEG adding 198 workers, and Central Hudson adding 44 workers, Hochul said.

The threat for coastal flooding has increased as the storm has moved up the coast and the National Weather Service now has coastal flood warnings in place for Long Island, New York City and Southern Westchester County beginning at noon Sunday through 8 p.m. Monday, Hochul said.

Forecasts are calling for widespread moderate to major coastal flooding for the south shore bays of Nassau and southwestern Suffolk counties during times of high tide until Monday, the National Weather Service told Patch.

Widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding remains a threat for the remainder of the coastline, with the widespread possibility of dune erosion and localized overwashes along the Atlantic Ocean beaches, the NWS said.

Strong winds are also expected to be a major hazard throughout the duration of the storm. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for much of Suffolk County beginning at noon Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday, with a wind advisory in place for the rest of Long Island, New York City and Southern Westchester County, Hochul said.

During that period, wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour are possible and could result in downed trees and possible power outages, the National Weather Service said.

Due to the forecasted high wind conditions, MTA Bridges and Tunnels will implement a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem (piggyback, dual, triple, etc.) trucks on its seven bridges beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Hochul said.

Based on the current forecast and the overall timing of the weather event, it is anticipated this ban will be in place until 6 p.m. Monday.

Forecasters are also calling for long-duration rainfall as part of the storm, the most intense of which will be focused downstate where between 1.5 and 3 inches of rainfall is expected on Long Island, as well as in the lower Mid-Hudson and New York City regions; minor flooding resulting from poor drainage is possible, officials said.

The northern Mid-Hudson and southern Capital Regions are forecast to receive between an inch and 1.5 inches of rain, while the rest of the state should see an inch or less, Hochul said.

The rainfall has the potential to cause flooding in urban areas with poor drainage throughout Sunday and into Monday.

New Yorkers are encouraged to monitor their local forecasts, weather watches and warnings.

"It is critical to ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones," Hochul said.

New Yorkers can also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov.

To support storm response in the Long Island region, the New York State Department of Transportation is taking the following actions, Hochul said:

• Quick clearance crews in areas with coastal flooding concerns began operations at 7 a.m. Sunday.
• Quick clearance crews and three tree-cutting crews in other areas of Long Island were recalled to service at 11 a.m. Sunday.
• Four traffic signal mechanics (two in Nassau County and two in Suffolk) will begin work at 12 p.m. Sunday. Four others will be on standby.
• HELP trucks will be brought into service for the Columbus Day holiday during morning and afternoon peak travel times.

Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1,477 large dump trucks
• 332 large loaders
• 98 chippers
• 82 tracked and wheeled excavators
• 33 water pumps
• 31 traffic and tree crew bucket trucks
• 30 traffic tower platforms
• 19 vacuum trucks with sewer jets

The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event, Hochul said.

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit 511ny.org, New York State's official traffic and travel information source.

Hochul also offered severe weather safety tips:

Disaster Supplies

Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio 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 Flooding

• 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.
• Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Power Outages

• Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
• Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
• If heat goes out during a storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

To Report an Electric Outage, Call:

• PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075