Several upstate New York counties have declared a state of emergency ahead of a massive snowstorm that had already battered the Midwest, dumping over two feet of snow in some areas.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Saturday that 11 counties are in a state of emergency as the snowstorm is forecast to dump more snow over the weekend, reaching 3 to 5 feet in Watertown.
“My administration is working around the clock with our state agencies and over 100 National Guard members on the ground to support local communities,” the governor said.
There were travel advisories for Jefferson and Lewis counties and parts of Erie County. The Department of Transportation banned tandem and empty commercial vehicles on I-86 and on State Route 219.
Since Friday, the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have seen massive snowfall, with record totals nearing 25 inches of snow in Gaylord, Michigan.
