Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on Spectrum News to provide an update on New York State’s preparations for the upcoming lake effect snowstorm expected to impact travel during the Thanksgiving holiday. The forecast indicates that Western New York, Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the North Country will experience significant snowfall beginning today and continuing through Saturday, November 29.
During her interview, Governor Hochul emphasized the unusual timing of this storm: “That’s exactly the point. Ordinarily and certainly in a few months, one to two feet of snow accumulation over a couple days is not something we have to be so concerned about. But, number one, it is the first major storm of the season, which sends chills through everybody — literally and figuratively. They’re not used to it, but at some point we get hardwired to be used to it, but we’re not there yet.”
She noted that heavy travel during Thanksgiving increases risk: “But also, you’re absolutely right about the travel. I mean of all the days for this to hit, starting Wednesday, which is the busiest travel day of the year. And our roads will be icy, they’ll be blowing — could be 30, 40 miles an hour statewide, but even up to 60 miles an hour in some of our localized areas. That creates visibility concerns, blizzard-like conditions. Trees can come down because there’s still a lot of leaves on the trees — this is what we see in the fall events — and power outages. So all this could happen. So I think it’s all about being proactive and planning for this. And if you have to travel for the holidays, get on the road as early as you can tomorrow, be at your destination before the storm hits and also just take all these precautions.”
Governor Hochul outlined specific areas and times when conditions may worsen: “Thursday evening in Western New York will be the most intense snow — more like the rest of the state, Central New York, and Mohawk Valley and the North Country more Friday. But Thursday evening — think about it, you’re driving home from your parents or grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving dinner. That’s when the Thruway could be really in trouble.”
She encouraged drivers to avoid alcohol before traveling in hazardous weather: “And again, I’m going to say be careful about alcohol consumption. It’s nice to celebrate the holidays, but also being on the roads with those icy, blizzardy conditions — you’ve had a couple of drinks; could be really a recipe for disaster as well.”
The Governor advised residents to prepare their vehicles for winter conditions: “If your car goes off the road… ‘Stock up your car for winter travel. Have everything you need. It’s the flashlight. It’s extra blankets. It’s a charger for your phone.’ All these things we need to know and keep water and some food with you because this is just the start of what can be a really long, cold, windy blizzardy season.”
In response to questions about readiness efforts by state agencies ahead of Thanksgiving Day travel disruptions due to weather events like lake effect snowstorms common in upstate regions (https://www.weather.gov/buf/lakeffect), Hochul explained that crews are already mobilized: “Our people are already positioning… We have over 3,500 supervisors and operators. We have about 1,600–1,700 plow trucks… Thruway Authority equipment… staff over 677 people there — 338 trucks with that effort… We have a lot of salt on hand… But also we have utility workers… We have 5,500 utility workers already available statewide…”
Hochul referenced past storms as reminders of unpredictability: “Casey that’s everything …we think we’re tough we can get through it but band shifts so quickly… We’ve seen how cities have been paralyzed by unprecedented amounts of snow that shift.” She urged caution regardless of forecast precision.
The Governor concluded by advising residents: “But above all if you can just stay home Just stay home over next couple days cook dinner clean up dishes play with kids—that’d be much safer time do it.” She added awareness around Black Friday shopping traffic following Thanksgiving.
The full audio recording of Governor Hochul’s remarks is available online.
