NY State Activates Emergency Centers Ahead Of Big Storm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has activated the state's emergency management apparatus ahead of an approaching storm expected to dump more than a foot of snow on parts of New York.

The Democrat announced Thursday that regional emergency operations centers from Long island to Buffalo will deploy resources during a nor'easter bringing rain, high winds and heavy snow to the East Coast.

Snow is falling in western New York Thursday evening. Forecasts call for rain turning to snow as the storm advances from west to east across the state into Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather warning for most upstate counties, with snowfall totals ranging from a few inches in some areas to as much as 16 inches in higher elevations.

Authorities say heavy snow upstate and high winds downstate could cause widespread power outages.