N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul declares state of emergency for nor'easter expected to bring blizzard conditions
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday ahead of the nor'easter that's expected to bring blizzard conditions to New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley.
"Once again, New York state is the crosshairs of a very dangerous, fast-moving, potentially life-threatening winter storm," Hochul said at a news conference as she urged people to avoid travel.
New York City, Long Island likely to get the worst of it
Parts of the state, including New York City, could end up with up to 2 feet of snow as the storm barrels down Sunday morning into Monday afternoon. Long Island is expected to bear the brunt, but northern counties could also wind up "in the bullseye," the governor said.
The forecast rapidly worsened Friday night and now indicates 18 to 24 inches with winds potentially gusting at over 60 mph for the city and on Long Island.
"The latest projection from the National Weather Service has determined a strong probability that a blizzard will create accumulations over 18 inches and potentially up to 2 feet of snow, with winds gusting up to 60 mph," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. "This is a major blizzard that will bring major accumulations and dangerous conditions. All non-essential vehicles should be off public roads and highways from 9 p.m. Sunday night until 9 a.m. Monday morning."
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine is imploring residents not to drive.
"This has the potential to become a serious storm. We're going see it start possibly as rain, possibly as frozen rain, but then it's going to move very quickly to snow and we are going to get snow bands. And then we're gonna get heavy winds, which would create blizzard conditions," Romaine said. "Now we have issued a travel ban, but I would tell everyone, please stay off the roads. Do not plan to travel. Do NOT plan to travel."
A foot or more possible in the Lower Hudson Valley
Severe winter weather conditions also are expected throughout the Hudson Valley, with Winter Storm Warnings already in effect for Northern Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam counties, with 12-18 inches of snow and winds gusting up to 45 mph expected.
Similar conditions are expected in Dutchess, Ulster, Greene and Columbia counties in the Upper Hudson Valley.
Hochul also warned that there could be flooding in coastal areas.
"This could be an historic storm and the vulnerability is great. The possibility of flooding is significant, so we're encouraging people to vacate from those areas and be prepared for a very, very dangerous situation," she said.
"This is one to take seriously"
New York City is facing a blizzard warning for the first time since 2017, while it's the first for Long Island since 2022, according to Hochul. Winter storm conditions will stretch through the entire region.
"We're all New Yorkers. We think we can handle anything, but here's the bottom line. You need to hear this from me, someone who's been through more blizzards than any governor in the history of the state of New York. This is one to take seriously," Hochul said.
The governor said she activated 100 members of the New York National Guard who will be staged across Long Island, New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. She is also deploying a new snow and ice rescue vehicle, which rolled out just in time.
"They are able to pick up people who are stranded in their vehicles and transport 20 at a time. So I am sending this vehicle right to Long Island," Hochul said.
Hochul also said she was in contact with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to coordinate the emergency response.
