In advance of the season's first snowstorm December 16 and 17, the state declared a state of emergency in the region, and several counties and municipalities announced parking and snow removal plans. Please check the newsroom page at wgxc.org for updates as conditions change.

WABC-TV is reporting New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a state of emergency in 10 Hudson Valley counties effective 6 p.m., Wed., Dec. 16, due to the storm. "State and local emergency response assets and personnel have been staged throughout the state and are ready to help keep all New Yorkers safe as this powerful system moves through the Northeast," Cuomo said. The order applies to Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Tioga, Delaware, Broome, Greene, and Columbia counties.
Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt B. Murell has announced county buildings will open on a two-hour delay, Thu., Dec. 17, to allow the county Facilities Department time to clear parking lots. The Department of Motor Vehicles is expected to be open, but Murell suggests checking the DMV Facebook page for details.

The village of Catskill Police Department has announced its parking plan for snow removal in the village will begin at 8 p.m., Wed., Dec. 16. All vehicles must be parked on the odd side of the street from 8 p.m., Wednesday, until 8 a.m., Thursday. Vehicles must then be moved to the even side of the street from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Cars must be moved in the same way, every 12 hours, until the snow emergency is canceled. Parking enforcement will remain in effect. Any vehicle parked in violation of village parking regulations, hindering the removal of snow, will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. Details can be found on the village of Catskill Police Department Facebook page.

The town of Greenport is reminding all motorists that during periods of snow, all motor vehicles are prohibited from parking on any town street. Drivers may be ticketed and/or towed if their vehicle is left on the street. Also, due to the storm, the weekly recycling pick-up will be suspended until Fri., Dec. 18.  Residents are asked to wait until Friday morning to put their recycling bins out to avoid unnecessary debris in the roadways. More information is available at townofgreenport [dot] com.