Gov. Hochul Declares State of Emergency, Directs State Agencies to Prepare for Statewide Deployment

     Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency this evening, just hours before a nor’easter is expected to drench New York City and the whole tri-state area with up to five inches of rain.

     While Hurricane Ida seemed to catch city and state officials by surprise, this time, Gov. Hochul says she has prepared the state for what may be another deluge.

     "I am proactively declaring a State of Emergency to ensure we can provide the necessary resources to respond to this storm and protect lives and property in regions where the forecast is calling for significant rainfall," said Gov, Hochul, who earlier today, directed state agencies, such as the State Department of Transportation (DOT), which are involved in emergency responses to prepare for statewide deployment to impacted regions.

     The DOT, the governor said is prepared to respond to potential flooding with a vast array of equipment, such as 1,408 large dump trucks, 300 large loaders, 77 tracked and wheeled excavators, 16 vacuum trucks with sewer jets, and 14 tree crew bucket trucks.

     Among the many other agencies that the governor said tonight “remain vigilant and ready to assist,” are the Thruway Authority, the New York Power Authority/Canal Corporation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the Port Authority. 

     State Police are prepared to deploy additional troopers to affected areas, as needed, and all-state police specialized vehicles, such as four-wheel drive vehicles and utility task vehicles, are prepared for immediate response, Gov Hochul said in a press release.     

     “All Troop emergency power and communications equipment have been tested,” Gov. Hochul said.

     Earlier today, the incoming storm prompted the city’s Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory, and the National Weather Service’s Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until tomorrow. 

      New Yorkers to should eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car, the governor warned.

     “Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion and dangerous driving conditions,” she said. “If you must drive during a blackout, remember to obey the 4-way stop rule at intersections with non-functioning traffic signals.”

     The rain, which is predicted to begin at midnight, will increase in intensity by tomorrow morning, when heavy rain will continue to fall through the day and later in the afternoon when the storm will heat its apex, reported weather enthusiast Yaker Bigeleisen, who said that the rainfall should diminish to mere lingering showers by Wednesday morning.