Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency for Western New York this weekend, as a lake effect storm is forecast with accumulations of a foot or more possible.
"I'll be declaring a state of emergency for WNY," Hochul said Friday afternoon.
Hochul says the state of emergency is to allow the deployment of equipment and the National Guard.
"This allows us to get people pre-positioned starting early tomorrow morning," Hochul said.
According to Hochul, 100 National Guard members would be on the ground in Western New York come Saturday morning, as well as 25 vehicles.
She says the forecast calls for up to 20 inches at a rate of 2-3 inches an hour, with blizzard-like conditions and limited visibility.
Additionally, Hochul announced that tandem and empty tractor-trailers will be banned along the New York State Thruway from Rochester to the Pennsylvania state line.
What does the state of emergency mean for Buffalo Bills fans who may have a ticket to Sunday’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
"If you have tickets to the game, listen to the forecast," the governor said. "If you don't have a ticket ... this might be a better game to sit home."
Related
