Full Travel Ban on I-84 and Tractor Trailer Ban on I-87

Posted by Harlem Valley News Posted on March 14, 2017
Posted in Amenia, Beekman, Clinton, Connecticut, Dover, Government, New Fairfield, News, North East, Patterson, Pawling, Salisbury, Sharon, Sherman, Southeast, Union Vale, Washington, Weather

 

Full Travel Ban on I-84 and Tractor Trailer Ban on I-87

Interstate I-84 will be Closed from the Pennsylvania Border to Connecticut Border Effective 1 p.m.

Tractor Trailer Ban on I-87 from Albany to Canada to Begin at 1 p.m.
 
Tractor Trailer Ban on I-81, I-84, I-86/Route 17, I-88 and the Thruway Still in Effect
 
Full Travel Ban in Broome County Still in Effect

Metro-North Service Suspended Until Further Notice
 
New York City Bus Service Remains Active but Limited; Bus Service May be Suspended as Road Conditions Worsen

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that a full travel ban on I-84 from the Pennsylvania border to the Connecticut border will go into effect at 1 p.m. The Governor also announced a tractor trailer ban will go into effect on I-87 between Albany and the Canadian border effective at 1 p.m.

Once the I-84 travel ban goes into effect at 1 p.m., only emergency personnel, first responders, and other critical healthcare personnel will be permitted on the roadway. A temporary tractor trailer ban still remains in effect on I-81, I-84, I-86/Route 17, I-88 and on all of the New York State Thruway. The full travel ban for all of Broome County announced earlier today remains in effect. More information is available here.​

At the Governor’s direction, Metro-North service was suspended at 12 p.m. due to weather conditions. Currently, MTA New York City bus service remains active but as conditions worsen, bus service may be suspended.

Tractor Trailer Ban
New York State has implemented a travel ban for all tractor trailers, including tandem trailers on the full length of the following roadways:

  • I-87 between Albany and Canada (effective 1 p.m.)
  • I – 81
  • I – 84
  • I – 86/Route 17
  • I – 88
  • Thruway

“With extreme winter weather sweeping the state, New York is taking every precaution to keep our communities safe,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are implementing a full travel ban on I-84 and a tractor trailer ban on I-87 from Albany to Canada, in addition to the other action we’ve taken throughout the day. The state is responding quickly and aggressively to the storm, and I urge New Yorkers to stay clear of the roads and allow emergency personnel to do their jobs.”


Audio Photos

Blizzard and Winter Storm Warnings
Blizzard and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect in throughout the State. Blizzard conditions are possible with 6-14 inches of snow expected in Lower Mid-Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island Regions. 14-24 inches of snow is expected in the Capital District, Eastern Mohawk Valley & Upper Hudson Valley areas. 12-30 inches are expected in the Central New York, Western Mohawk Valley, and Southern Tier regions. 18-24 inches of total snowfall is expected in Western New York. Snowfall rates are between 2-4 inches per hour. Wind gusts may affect visibility throughout the State.

Blizzard and winter storm updates by region are available below:
Central New York, Western Mohawk Valley & Southern Tier
The most intense area of the storm has shifted to the Southern Tier region. Expected snow accumulation for Broome County is now 30 to 35 inches. Current on the ground snow reports range from 12 to 20 inches across the Southern Tier and Catskills. Snow accumulation for the Binghamton area is now estimated to be around 18 to 24 inches. Snow accumulation for Monticello/Southern Catskills area will be around 24 to 30 inches. Snow accumulation for Ithaca/Elmira/Rome areas will be around 12 to 18 inches. The Syracuse/Auburn/Oneonta areas will see accumulations around 18 to 24 inches. Wind will be out of the north at 11 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph. Winds may cause blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures are in the mid-20s.

    • Winter Storm Warning: Broome; Chemung; Chenango; Cortland; Madison; Northern Oneida; Onondaga; Oswego; Otsego; Schuyler; Seneca; Southern Cayuga; Southern Oneida; Steuben; Tioga; Tompkins; and Yates Counties until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday
    • Blizzard Warning: Delaware and Sullivan Counties until 11:00 p.m. today

Capital District, Eastern Mohawk Valley & Upper Hudson Valley
Snow accumulations of 18 to 24 inches is possible. Current on the ground snow reports range from 8 to 12 inches. Most of the area today cloudy skies are forecast with scattered snow showers. Heavy snow showers likely after 7:00 a.m. Winds will be out of the north at 7 to 18 mph. Temperatures will be in the low 20s with a high near 26. Areas of dense freezing fog after 9:00 a.m. Areas of blowing snow after 3:00 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times with areas of blowing snow. Winds will be out of the east at 14 to 16 mph. Wind chill value as low as -5.

    • Blizzard Warning: Columbia; Dutchess; Greene; Ulster in effect until 12:00 a.m. Wednesday
    • Blizzard Warning:  Albany; Rensselaer; Schenectady; Warren; Washington; Schoharie; Saratoga in effect until 4:00 a.m. Wednesday
    • Winter Storm Warning: Albany; Rensselaer; Schenectady; Hamilton; Montgomery; Fulton; Herkimer; Warren; Washington; Schoharie; Saratoga in effect until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday

Lower Hudson Valley, NYC & Long Island
Accumulations potentially as high as 24 inches north of New York City. Current on the ground snow reports range from 4 to 12 inches. Temperature high in the upper 20s. Winds northeast 25 to 35 mph, with wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Tonight, cloudy, snow and freezing drizzle before 10:00 p.m., with a change of snow between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. along with areas of blowing snow before midnight. Wind chill values between 10 to 15 degrees. Wind gusts as high as 33 mph. There is little or no ice accumulation expected. Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a high near 30. Scattered snow showers, mostly after 11:00 a.m. Wind chill between 10 and 15. Northwest winds 10 to 16 mph.

    • Flood Advisory: Nassau, Queens, Suffolk (Issued at 10:11 AM; Expires at 1:14 PM)
    • Coastal Flood Warning: Southern Nassau until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. Northeast Suffolk and Southeast Suffolk County until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected around the times of high tide this afternoon.
    • Winter Storm Warning: Suffolk County until 12:00 a.m. Wednesday.

Western and Northwestern New York
Snow accumulations of 10 to 16 inches is possible. Current on the ground snow reports range from 1 to 4 inches. Winds will be from the north at 16 to 20 mph. The snow could be heavy at times with areas of blowing snow after noon. Temperatures in the high teens low 20s. For most of the area tonight mostly cloudy skies are expected with snow showers. New snow accumulation of 10 to 16 inches possible in the Rochester, Oswego and Thruway corridor.  A possible 10 to 16 inches expected in the city of Buffalo. Temperatures in the low teens around 12. Winds for the northwest around 18 mph with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tomorrow forecast expected snow showers. Areas of blowing snow. Winds from the northwest at 16 to 22 mph with gusts as a high as 33 mph.

    • Winter Storm Warning: Niagara; Orleans; Monroe; Northern Cayuga; Wayne; Oswego; Jefferson; Lewis; Genesee; Erie; Wyoming; Allegany; Livingston; Ontario; Cattaraugus; Chautauqua in effect until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday

Northeastern New York
Snow accumulations of 8 to 24 inches is possible. Current on the ground snow reports range from 1 to 3 inches. Temperature high 20 degrees, low 5 to 15 degrees. Winds are northwest around 16 mph, with wind gusts as high as 32 mph. Snow totals of 8 to 12 inches in St. Lawrence,  18 to 24 inches expected in Central Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties.

    • Winter Storm Warning: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St Lawrence Counties until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday
    • Blizzard Warning: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence Counties until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday

New York City Airport updates:
As of 6 am:

    • LaGuardia Airport: 99 percent of flights at LaGuardia are cancelled.
    • John F. Kennedy Airport: Two-thirds of flights are cancelled and numbers continue to climb

 

“The state is responding quickly and aggressively to the storm, and I urge New Yorkers to stay clear of the roads and allow emergency personnel to do their jobs.”

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor Directs All Non-Essential State Employees to Stay Home on Tuesday

Due to anticipated weather conditions associated with the extreme winter storm, all non-essential New York State employees in all counties except Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Franklin, Clinton and Essex do not have to report to work on Tuesday, March 14 and do not need to charge accruals for such absence.  If an agency has any questions, the agency’s designated representative should contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at 518-474-6988.

State Agency Preparations for Nor’easter

Representatives from the following state agencies and emergency response partners have been directed to report to the State Emergency Operation Center for storm preparation and response starting Monday evening:

  • Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

o Office of Emergency Management
o Office of Fire Prevention and Control

  • Department of Transportation
  • New York State Thruway
  • State Police
  • Department of Public Service
  • Division of Military and Naval Affairs
  • Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
  • Department of Environmental Conservation
  • American Red Cross
  • Office of Information Technology Services

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
In addition to activating the Emergency Operations Center, the Division of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Management is communicating with the National Weather Service and is coordinating with local emergency managers across the state. DHSES will pre-position two six-person tracked UTVs and one eight-person tracked vehicle with staff to Brentwood Stockpile on Long Island, with two high-axle vehicles. Also, one high-axle vehicle with two six-person tracked UTVs will be pre-positioned in Mid-Hudson Valley region with personnel and one High Axle with personnel is being deployed to Buffalo. Additional six-person tracked UTVs are on standby for movement to other portions of the state as necessary.

Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation has 3,847 operators and supervisors statewide and is ready to respond with 1,600 large plow/dump trucks, 200 medium plow/dump trucks, 324 loaders, 42 truck/loader mounted snow blowers, 61 tow plows, 20 graders and 15 pickup trucks with plows. The DOT also has more than 443,000 tons of road salt on hand. Upstate regions will be providing an additional 176 operators and supervisors, 12 Storm Managers, 30 trucks, and 12 loader/snowblowers to serve Long Island and the Mid-Hudson region for the duration of this storm. The Long Island Expressway will have 100 plows servicing the road – double the normal deployment for a snowstorm. DOT continues to monitor the forecast to ensure that out-of-region resources are being deployed to the areas that are expected to be hardest-hit by the storm.

Motorists are reminded to check 511NY by calling 511, or visiting www.511ny.org before traveling. The free service allows users to check road conditions and transit information. Mobile users can download the free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.

Thruway Authority
The New York State Thruway Authority’s winter weather preparations include a 24-hour staff rotation for maintenance personnel, snow removal equipment ready for deployment, and ample salt and fuel supplies to keep the roadways clear and safe.

The Thruway Authority has more than 592 supervisors and operators ready to deploy 201 large snow plows, 110 medium snow plows and 54 loaders across the state with more than 114,800 tons of road salt on hand. Variable Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radio and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway.

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway. Motorists can sign up for TRANSalerts by following this link: www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/index.shtml. Thruway travelers can also get real-time updates by following @ThruwayTraffic on Twitter or by visitingwww.thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

State Police
The New York State Police will deploy additional patrols for the duration of the storm, and all resources will be available as needed, including 4X4 vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. High-axle vehicles will also be ready for deployment to affected areas as needed.

New York National Guard
The New York National Guard Joint Operations Center is active and monitoring the situation with approximately 2,000 members deployed to specific regions of the state or on standby and available as needed. The New York National Guard has 350 members with 45 vehicles deployed in New York City; 255 members with 38 vehicles deployed in the Hudson Valley; 135 members with 57 vehicles deployed on Long Island; 100 members with 35 vehicles deployed in Capital District; 50 members with 22 vehicles deployed in Central New York; and 255 members with 69 vehicles deployed in Western New York. Additional personnel will staff Joint Task Force Headquarters in New York City, Mid-Hudson and Buffalo Regions.  The National Guard is also prepared to respond if needed with personnel and high-axle vehicles on Long Island, in New York City, the Mid-Hudson Valley and other regions of the state.

For up-to-the-minute updates on Port Authority crossings, airports and the PATH system, travelers are encouraged to sign up for Port Authority alerts at www.paalerts.com.  Travelers may also call 511 or visit 511NY.org or511NJ.org for further information on highway conditions.

Department of Public Service
The Department of Public Service is in contact with utility senior executives to ensure that the utilities are prepared for inclement weather, and it will be closely monitoring utility storm-preparation efforts to ensure that utilities stand ready to minimize outages and speed outage restorations. Electric and gas utilities, as well as telecommunication service providers, such as Verizon, are prepared to bring on additional manpower to minimize service disruptions, if they occur. Utilities are prepared to respond 24 hours a day to power disruptions and are mandated to implement their emergency response plans, when needed, which includes contacting customers on life-support equipment and other critical customers.

In light of the potential inclement weather expected, the Department will expand its Call Center Helpline hours, beginning Tuesday, March 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., to assist consumers in storm response and restoration efforts, and Wednesday, March 15, if needed. The Department’s Call Center Helpline can be reached by calling (800) 342-3377. Department staff will monitor and report on storm impacts and utility restoration activities throughout the event and will be present in the field, as needed.

How to Contact Your Utility: 

Department of Environmental Conservation
The State Department of Environmental Conservation is mobilizing Environmental Conservation Officers, Forest Rangers and other staff assets in the Mid-Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island regions, including ATV’s, UTV’s, snowmobiles, and 4×4 trucks available to assist in any necessary response efforts. DEC coastal engineering experts are also ready to assist in monitoring for potential flooding and coastal erosion from the storm. Other public protection and spill response staff are coordinating with other state and local partners to provide additional assistance as needed.

Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Governor Cuomo also announced the closure of all state parks, historic sites, and DEC-managed facilities located within the impacted areas, including Suffolk, Nassau, New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, Columbia, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Montgomery, Saratoga and Washington counties. Park visitors should monitor www.nysparks.com or call their local park office for the latest updates.

Safety Precautions
All residents should have the following items available:

  • Flashlight and extra batteries.
  • Battery-powered portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio to receive emergency information.
  • Seven to ten days’ supply of food. High-energy food, such as dried fruit or candy, and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration is best. Also stock an emergency supply of bottled water. The recommended amount is one gallon per person per day for 7 to 10 days.
  • A one-week supply of essential medicines and baby items.
  • First aid kit and supplies.
  • Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
  • Fire extinguisher and smoke detector – test regularly to ensure they are working properly.

Safety on the Road
When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary.

If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly-colored cloth to use as a distress flag.

  • Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline freeze-up.
  • If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
  • Make sure someone knows your travel plans.

Drive Safely
The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents.

  • Before getting behind the wheel or your car, clear it of ice and snow. Good vision is a key to good driving.
  • Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert.
  • Remember, snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Moreover, always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.

Trapped in a Car
With blizzard conditions expected, here are some tips to follow:

  • Stay in your car and wait for help to find you.
  • Run your engine for short periods of time to stay warm. Keep your down-wind window open and make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow.
  • Turn on the dome light at night when you are running the engine to signal rescuers.
  • Hang a brightly colored piece of cloth or piece of clothing from your car.
  • Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.

Author: Harlem Valley News