Governor Hochul deploys state emergency response assets

ALBANY, N.Y. (WHEC) — Governor Hochul is deploying emergency response assets from numerous state agencies as high wind warnings were issued for many counties across Western New York, the Finger Lakes and North Country regions until late Saturday evening.

High wind warnings will be in effect for Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Wayne and Wyoming Counties. Portions of the Southern Tier and Capital Region can expect winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts nearing 50 mph. Rain will move across the state beginning Saturday and ending late Saturday evening leading to drier weather on Sunday.

According to the governor’s office, some state agencies include the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Thruway Authority, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Public Service, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as well as the Department of Transportation. The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Operations Center is activated and will closely monitor conditions, coordinate response operations and remains in contact with localities.

State’s utility companies have brought in 1,300 out-of-state personnel in preparation for the weekend weather event.

Tractor-trailers and box trucks are banned until further notice on the Buffalo Skyway (Route 5) from I-190 in Buffalo to Ridge Road in Lackawanna and on I-81 from exits 48 to 52 near the Canadian border.

Empty trucks, trailers and tandems banned on NYS thruway (I-90) between exits 42 (Geneva) to 61 (Ripley) as well as Niagara thruway (I-190)