Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency in portions of the Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York and North Country regions as those areas are set to receive multiple feet of lake effect snow.

Areas east of Lakes Erie and Ontario could see 2 to 3 feet of snow along with strong wind gusts of 30-45 mph beginning tonight and continuing through Saturday. As a result, the Thruway Authority is implementing a tandem and empty tractor trailer ban in both directions on the Thruway (I-90) from exit 53 (Buffalo (Downtown) – Canada – Niagara Falls – I-190) west to the Pennsylvania state line until further notice. Additionally, the Department of Transportation is also implementing a tandem and empty trailer ban beginning at midnight for Route 5 from Route 179 to I-190 (Erie County), US 219 from I-90 to I-86 (Erie and Cattaraugus Counties), NY Route 400 from I-90 to NY 16 (Erie County) and I-86 from US 219 to PA Line (Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties). New Yorkers in these areas should pay close attention to their local forecasts and avoid any unnecessary travel as the combination of snow and strong winds could create whiteout conditions.

“As winter weather bears down on our State, I am declaring a State of Emergency so our communities have the resources they need to stay safe,” Hochul said. “We are deploying resources and working alongside our partners in government as we prepare for every possibility — I encourage all New Yorkers to stay alert, stay off the roads if possible, and keep in contact with family and friends as we move through the next 48 hours.”

The State of Emergency is in effect for Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties.

In addition to the lake event snow beginning Wednesday night, strong wind gusts and heavy rain is continuing throughout Wednesday in the eastern portion of the state including the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. Wind gusts could surpass 50 mph in some places and could cause power outages, while the heavy rain has the potential to cause localized flash flooding.