Governor Hochul Visits Storm Ravaged City of Rome and Updates New Yorkers on State Response to Severe Weather Impacts

Governor Kathy Hochul today visited the City of Rome to inspect damage caused by severe winds that caused extensive damage in the region and provided updates on the state's response to the severe storms that have impacted the state over the last two weeks. Last night, the Governor declared a statewide State of Emergency in response to severe weather impacting communities across New York. The Governor has deployed more than 50 members of the National Guard to provide assistance.

"We are closely monitoring the impacts of severe weather events that have left devastating impacts in parts of Central New York, the North Country and the Capital Region," Governor Hochul said. "Alongside our local partners, we are making a comprehensive effort to assess the damage and provide resources to affected regions, and I ask all New Yorkers to exercise caution and monitor forecasts as this situation unfolds."

Impacts from yesterday's severe weather event are being assessed in the Capital, Central, and Northern New York Regions. Two Red Cross shelters have been opened, one in Oneida County and one in Madison County. Damage assessments to buildings and property have been ongoing since last night. A number of state routes are closed particularly in the Capital, Central New York, and Northern New York regions due to downed trees and wires and flooding crews are working to re-open them.

Today, severe weather continues across New York State. Feels like temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 95°F again today, mainly across New York City, Long Island and Mid-Hudson, and the Capital Region. Heat advisories are in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday for these areas. Chances for severe isolated thunderstorms with the potential for damaging wind and flash flooding also continue on Wednesday in portions of the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Capital Region, North Country, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island. Air quality health advisories for ozone are in effect for New York City and Lower Hudson Valley areas on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New York State agencies are providing the following to support the response to these storms:

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES)
To support response efforts, Governor Hochul directed DHSES to activate the State Emergency Operations Center to Enhanced Monitoring Mode to track storm related issues in real-time and support local governments' requests for assistance. In addition, DHSES is:

• Engaging the Disaster Action Response Team and providing drone assistance to perform on-site damage assessments.
• Deploying the State Incident Management Team, to assist emergency managers on-site in planning and logistics.
• Activating the Fire Operations Center and the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has deployed 20 personnel and two canine search-and-rescue teams.
• Providing equipment to affected communities as needed including generators to support power interruptions impacting critical infrastructure.
• Providing portable radios and portable internet through the Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications.

Department of Public Service
More than 325,000 electric customers statewide have been impacted by severe weather systems over the last 36 hours, with approximately 230,000 having been restored. Significant electric infrastructure has been incurred throughout Upstate New York with dozens of broken poles, broken cross arms, down conductor and trees and in many areas serious damage to public and private property. The utilities have marshaled approximately 9,000 workers for these events. Response, damage assessment, repair and restoration crews from the utility companies are working to identify, make safe and repair the impacts to energy sector infrastructure, and the Department of Public Service is in direct contact with utility operations leadership and tracking utility response and restoration efforts.

Division of Military and Naval Affairs
The Division of Military and Naval Affairs is deploying 55 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, with military vehicles and debris removal equipment, to assist in removing storm damage in Rome.

Department of Financial Services
Staff will be deployed to affected communities to provide insurance help to residents affected by the flooding and severe weather. Due to heavy damage impacting homes and properties, Department of Financial Services personnel will be staffing a resource center to assist residents and business owners with insurance-related questions.

Wednesday, July 17, Town of Lowville

• 5274 Outer Stowe St. Lowville NY 13367
• 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Residents who are not able to visit the resource centers can get assistance with financial services questions, including insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses, by calling the Department of Financial Services' Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759 daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

New York State Department of Transportation
Ahead of the storm, Department of Transportation forces were actively clearing storm drains and gutters to make sure water continues to flow. Crews are now actively patrolling roads, clearing downed trees and working to restore dark traffic signals. Department staff are also actively involved in the City of Rome/Oneida County Incident Command Center. DOT has the following assets available to assist statewide:

• Large dump trucks - 1,410
• Large loaders - 314
• Grapple attachments - 50
• Vac truck with sewer jet - 15
• Tracked excavators - 39.
• Wheeled excavators - 43
• Water pumps (4"-6") - 32
• Tractor trailers - 61
• Chippers (10" or greater) - 92
• Traffic signal truck - 30
• Tree crew bucket truck - 13

Road closures: Monitor 511 for the latest road conditions in your area.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and Emergency Management experts are assisting in the coordination of response efforts. ECOs are assisting on the ground with traffic control and Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff, and regional staff are assembling sawyer teams, monitoring the developing situation, and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure impacted by severe weather. All available assets are ready to assist with any emergency response.

New York State Police
State Police have deployed 25 Troopers to assist the city of Rome with traffic control and other missions. Additional Troopers will be deployed as needed.

Department of State
The agency is deploying staff from the Division of Building Standards and Codes to assist local officials with conducting building safety evaluations and assessments.

New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Teams at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are in the process of cleaning up downed trees and limbs across our system. We are working to restore power to several parks and sites including Schoharie Crossing, Green Lakes State Park and Robert Treman State Park. Additionally, we have multiple crews on standby to support debris clearance in Rome. OPRHP is also preparing for the next series of storms predicted for the Saratoga/Capital Region south through the Hudson Valley.

Contact the Governor's Press Office