On an 11am conference call with the media, Governor didn't give the "all clear" just yet, but he did say "Mother nature has moved on somewhat" and the snowfall is pretty much over across the state. He said his decision to close roadways between midnight and 5 am turned out to be the right call - there were weather-related fatalities - Authorities say a 71-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease has frozen to death after she wandered away from her rural western New York home.
State police say a 54-year-old Troy man died in a highway crash in the Adirondacks : Troopers tell The Post-Star of Glens Falls Fadle Assallami was driving south on the Northway, when he lost control around 6:30 p.m. Thursday, slid off the road and hit a guard rail in the Warren County town of Chester . There was another fatality an hour later on the southern state parkway - a female driver ran off the road and struck a tree. The car bounced back into traffic and was hit by a box truck. Assallami died at the scene.
Cuomo urged New Yorkers not to travel today if at all possible. He said there were no significant storm-related power outages - and he thanked utility companies for "performing well' overnight
Department of health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah warned against hypothermia and frostbite and urged anyone out of shape to avoid strenuous snow-shoveling. Shah added a word of caution to those who might be running generators and portable kerosene heaters - make sure they are well-ventilated.
Cuomo explained he balanced risk versus cost when making the decision to close highways - he says because roads were closed they were easier to more thoroughly and efficiently clear of snow.
