Governor Hochul directs emergency services in Western New York to focus on flooding
Will WNY suffer a double disaster as a week of rain and temperatures in the 50’s begins?
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS STATE AGENCIES TO PREPARE FLOOD RESPONSE ASSETS IN WESTERN NEW YORK AHEAD OF POTENTIAL FLOODING DUE TO SNOWMELT FROM UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES
Pumps, Sandbags and other Resources Available to Local Governments Ahead of Expected Flooding Due to Melting Snow and Warm Temperatures
Nearly 800,000 Sandbags and More than 300 Pumps and Generators Available To Deploy from State’s Stockpiles to Mitigate Flood-Related Issues
Numerous State Agencies Preparing Resources, Equipment and Personnel To Support Municipalities Facing Potential Flooding
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced additional support to Western New York as part of the State’s ongoing response to the deadly winter storm that brought hurricane-force winds, complete whiteout conditions, and more than four feet of heavy, wet snow over the holiday weekend. The State’s storm response continues this week and, as of Wednesday, Governor Hochul has deployed a total of 611 National Guard soldiers to the Western New York region. Service-members are divided in three-person teams, conducting door-to-door welfare visits to homes that lost power and called 911 during the course of the event. In total, more than 170,000 power outages were reported in Western New York and the City of Buffalo throughout the storm. While lake effect snow bands are no longer a threat to the region, Governor Hochul directed state agencies Wednesday to prepare flood response assets as flooding is possible later this week in the Buffalo area as temperatures rise and snow begins to melt.
“As we turn the corner on this historic winter storm, New York State is continuing to stay prepared ahead of potentially dangerous flooding conditions,” Governor Hochul said. “Our state agency personnel and local emergency responders have been coordinating throughout the storm, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect Western New Yorkers and help our communities recover.”
