Cuomo Declares State Of Emergency in 4 Mid-Hudson Counties

MID-HUDSON VALLEY, NY — In the wake of a nor'easter snowstorm that dropped more than 2 feet over much of New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Thursday in 18 counties, including four in the mid-Hudson Valley.

The counties in the mid-Hudson region are Columbia, Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties.

A number of travel restrictions and speed limit reductions have also been implemented by state transportation agencies.

Cuomo said he was declaring a state of emergency because a large portion of the state continues to deal with heavy snowfall and extremely dangerous driving conditions.

"New Yorkers are no strangers to extreme winter weather and we will get through this as we always do," he said in a prepared statement.

"We have thousands of personnel and pieces of equipment engaged in operations throughout the state and will continue to do everything we can to help communities until the job is done," Cuomo said.

He said, in the meantime, he was urging all New Yorkers to stay home and avoid any unnecessary travel so snow plows and road crews can clear roads as quickly and as safely as possible.

The speed limit on the Thruway from Exit 36 to the New York City line was reduced to 45 mph, as well as on the following in the Hudson Valley:

• Interstate 87, from Exit 1 to Exit 23
• Interstate 84
• Interstate 684
• All Mid-Hudson Parkways

Since the storm began Wednesday, Cuomo said the New York State Police responded to more than 600 accidents and disabled vehicles across the state, including two fatal accidents. Staffing in affected areas was increased by 20 percent.

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