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ALBANY, NY (01/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Governor Andrew M.

Cuomo
today outlined state readiness for the impending snowstorm forecasted for
large portions of New York.
The Governor directed the New York State Office of Emergency
Management to activate the state's Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan and open the State Emergency Operations Center
to ensure resources and equipment from relevant state agencies are
positioned to clear roadways and respond to storm-related issues.
"With weather forecasts calling for a significant snow event across large
portions of the state we have taken steps to mobilize and coordinate our
response with the appropriate state agencies in order to ensure a safe and
timely clean-up," Governor Cuomo said. "I urge all drivers to use caution on
our roadways and to be courteous and careful when in proximity to snow
plows and salt trucks."
The Governor's Office has been coordinating response efforts with relevant
agencies and authorities including: Department of Transportation, New
York State Police, Thruway Authority, Public Service Commission, Long
Island Power Authority, New York Power Authority, State Office of
Emergency Management, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,
Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and local highway departments.
Steps taken to ensure readiness include:
• Activation of 196 DOT trucks on Long Island
• Activation of 224 DOT trucks in the Hudson Valley
• Activation of 176 DOT trucks in the Capital Region
• Thruway Authority has 89 trucks deployed between New York City and
the Capital Region
• Application of road de-icer underway
• LIPA has 300 lineman, 16 first responders, and 100 additional contractors
on stand-by for storm response
• All 3000 LIPA critical care customers have been contacted to warn of
potential outages
• State Police have diverted additional 4-wheel drive vehicles to anticipated
impact areas and increased patrols
Utility customers needing information from their service provider can
contact the Public Service Commission at 1-800-342-3377. Staffing of the
hotline has been increased to handle additional storm-related volume.
The New York State Department of Transportation urges caution when
driving near snowplows, which travel at about 35 miles per hour in order to
properly disperse salt other preparations to maintain the roads. Snowplow
drivers have limited visibility, so motorists and pedestrians should never
assume a snowplow driver can see them. The size and weight of snowplows
make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Blowing snow from
plows can severely reduce visibility. The safest place for motorists is well
behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Motorists
should not attempt to pass plows or follow too closely.
New Yorkers should prepare cars in advance for winter storms by securing
emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope,
ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, and extra warm clothes that can
be left in the truck of the vehicle. If driving during a winter storm is a
must, then motorists are urged to adjust their speed for road conditions,
maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and to schedule extra time
travel. It should be noted that bridge surfaces freeze more quickly than road
surfaces, and therefore are more slippery than road surfaces.
On occasion when winter storms cause power outages at intersections,
lighting signals may fail to operate. Pursuant to Vehicle and Traffic Law,
motorists are advised that at intersections where the traffic control signal is
not working at all they should proceed as they would at a stop sign, unless
otherwise directed by a police officer on site.
Motorists who need to check conditions can access winter weather travel
updates at https://www.nysdot.gov/wta. Real-time travel reports can also
be accessed by phone by dialing 511 or online at www.511ny.org.
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Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov | High resolution images
available at http://governor.ny.gov/mediaimages | password: cuomo | New
York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418

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