Region begins digging out after storm; emergency declarations still in place
January 25, 2026 at 11:39 AM EST
After much of the state woke up to at least a foot of snow on Monday morning, the process of digging out is in motion.
But we're still under a winter storm warning that’s in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday for Monroe and Wayne counties.
The official snowfall tally at the Rochester airport for Sunday is 8.3 inches, according to the National Weather Service. That broke the previous record for that date of 7.1 inches set in 1979.
The weather service says moderate snow is expected along the lake shore through Monday night, especially from Wayne to Oswego counties.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for the state and activated 100 members of the New York National Guard on Friday. She also issued travel restrictions for commercial vehicles.
All commercial vehicles are currently restricted to only traveling in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the New York State Thruway, and there’s a travel ban for long combination tandem vehicles in place on the Thruway.
“Snow has begun falling across much of the state and we are anticipating the longest cold stretch and the highest snow totals that we’ve had in several years,” Hochul said at a news conference Sunday. “New Yorkers should avoid any unnecessary travel allowing first responders and plow crews to do their jobs in keeping people safe and clearing our roads. Take the weather seriously and take precautions to stay safe and stay warm.”
Hochul’s office said residents can sign up for real-time weather and emergency text alerts by texting their county name to 333111.
The office also advised against any unnecessary travel, and reminded residents who must travel to ensure their vehicle is stocked with blankets, a shovel, a flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, a set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
Travel tips
Power outages
Bello also issued a travel advisory.
"Residents should avoid unnecessary travel so our first responders and road crews can safely and quickly respond to emergencies and keep our roads clear," Bello said in a statement. "These conditions are expected to worsen, and taking this advisory seriously will help save lives."
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans issued a similar state of emergency and travel advisory Sunday afternoon as well.
The county Department of Human Services will be conducting outreach efforts to offer homeless individuals emergency housing. Anyone who needs shelter, or knows someone who does, is asked to call the 211 Life Line to get help.
With a "Code Blue" in effect across the state, the county said people in need can also request free transportation via RTS to a warming shelter in the city of Rochester at any bus stop. If the nearest participating shelter is not on that route, the bus will take them to the RTS transit center, where an employee will escort them to the bus that will take them to a shelter with available space.
Monroe County warming center sites:
Residents are also encouraged to:
City facilities adjust hours
Rochester officials said three city R-Centers will be open with reduced hours on Monday. The following locations will be open from noon to 4 p.m., and will provide lunch and dinner:
The Central Library, 115 South Ave., will be open Monday from noon to 4 p.m., but city branch libraries will be closed.
The following city facilities will be closed to the public on Monday and will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday:
The Rochester City School District said all schools and offices will be closed Monday, and all school-related activities are also canceled.
In Ontario County, Sheriff David Cirencione on Monday lowered the no unnecessary travel advisory to a travel advisory.
But we're still under a winter storm warning that’s in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday for Monroe and Wayne counties.
The official snowfall tally at the Rochester airport for Sunday is 8.3 inches, according to the National Weather Service. That broke the previous record for that date of 7.1 inches set in 1979.
The weather service says moderate snow is expected along the lake shore through Monday night, especially from Wayne to Oswego counties.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for the state and activated 100 members of the New York National Guard on Friday. She also issued travel restrictions for commercial vehicles.
All commercial vehicles are currently restricted to only traveling in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the New York State Thruway, and there’s a travel ban for long combination tandem vehicles in place on the Thruway.
“Snow has begun falling across much of the state and we are anticipating the longest cold stretch and the highest snow totals that we’ve had in several years,” Hochul said at a news conference Sunday. “New Yorkers should avoid any unnecessary travel allowing first responders and plow crews to do their jobs in keeping people safe and clearing our roads. Take the weather seriously and take precautions to stay safe and stay warm.”
Hochul’s office said residents can sign up for real-time weather and emergency text alerts by texting their county name to 333111.
The office also advised against any unnecessary travel, and reminded residents who must travel to ensure their vehicle is stocked with blankets, a shovel, a flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, a set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
Travel tips
- Keep your cellphone or other communications device charged and with you to ensure you can call for help if you become stranded.
- Make sure your vehicle is clear of ice and snow and keep more distance between vehicles.
- Be alert for snowplows, which travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases are lower than the posted speed limit. Also, on interstate highways, snowplows often operate side by side to safely clear several lanes at one time. Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely.
Power outages
- Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules. RG&E customers can click here to report an outage. Click here to see a list of outages.
- Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
- If heat goes out during a storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.
- Do not go near or touch fallen or sagging power lines.
Bello also issued a travel advisory.
"Residents should avoid unnecessary travel so our first responders and road crews can safely and quickly respond to emergencies and keep our roads clear," Bello said in a statement. "These conditions are expected to worsen, and taking this advisory seriously will help save lives."
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans issued a similar state of emergency and travel advisory Sunday afternoon as well.
The county Department of Human Services will be conducting outreach efforts to offer homeless individuals emergency housing. Anyone who needs shelter, or knows someone who does, is asked to call the 211 Life Line to get help.
With a "Code Blue" in effect across the state, the county said people in need can also request free transportation via RTS to a warming shelter in the city of Rochester at any bus stop. If the nearest participating shelter is not on that route, the bus will take them to the RTS transit center, where an employee will escort them to the bus that will take them to a shelter with available space.
Monroe County warming center sites:
- Open Door Mission, 156 N. Plymouth Ave., Rochester; RTS Routes 15 and 21
- House of Mercy, 285 Ormond St., Rochester; RTS Route 3
- Saving Grace Ministries (men only), 1140 Norton St., Rochester; RTS Route 4, 5
- Oak Orchard, First Baptist Church, 124 Main St., Brockport; transportation available through RTS OnDemand
Residents are also encouraged to:
- Keep phones and devices charged.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from clothing, furniture and drapes.
- Bring pets inside.
- Check on elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors.
- Cover up or stay inside to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.
- Check the batteries in smoke and CO detectors, and make sure exterior vents are free of snow and ice.
- Keep an extra emergency kit in your car. In addition to the basic essentials, consider adding a portable cell phone charger, ice scraper, extra blanket, sand for traction and jumper cables.
- Keep enough charge or fuel to ensure you can safely get to and from your intended destination.
City facilities adjust hours
Rochester officials said three city R-Centers will be open with reduced hours on Monday. The following locations will be open from noon to 4 p.m., and will provide lunch and dinner:
- Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
- Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St.
- Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 N. Clinton Ave. (the pool will also be open during this time period)
The Central Library, 115 South Ave., will be open Monday from noon to 4 p.m., but city branch libraries will be closed.
The following city facilities will be closed to the public on Monday and will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday:
- City Hall, 30 Church St.
- Hon. Loretta C. Scott Center for Human Services, 57 St. Paul St.
- Rochester Water Bureau, 10 Felix St.
- Rochester Animal Services, 184 Verona St.
- Genesee Valley Sports Complex and Ice Rink, 131 Elmwood Ave.
- MLK Park Ice Rink, Manhattan Square Park
- Rochester Community Sports Complex, 460 Oak St.
The Rochester City School District said all schools and offices will be closed Monday, and all school-related activities are also canceled.
In Ontario County, Sheriff David Cirencione on Monday lowered the no unnecessary travel advisory to a travel advisory.