Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today declared a winter ice storm emergency for the North Country and activated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to respond to the winter ice storm that has brought significant icing caused by freezing rain.

“With a winter ice storm moving into parts of New York, we are taking precautions to protect our residents as well as help keep our roadways clear and infrastructure working,” Cuomo said.

“I have directed state agencies to take all necessary actions to be prepared to respond to the expected icy conditions, and we will actively monitor the storm as it begins to hit the state. I urge New Yorkers in affected communities to use common sense, avoid traveling, and stay out of harm’s way until the storm has passed and conditions are safe.”

Jerome M. Hauer, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said his department has been in touch with St. Lawrence and other counties that are in the track of the storm.

St. Lawrence is among counties opening its local Emergency Operations Centers that “will also include staff from our Division’s regional Emergency Management offices,” he said. The counties have “been in touch with local utilities and county/state Departments of Transportation. In addition, state stockpiles will be ready to deploy generators and other supplies as needed."

The state Department of Transportation has 121 plows and 339 operators and supervisors available in the North Country to clear snow and treat roads with salt, Cuomo said. DOT crews are treating roads with salt to help slow ice and snow buildup.

Cuomo noted some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include:

• Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered;

• Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles;

• Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations;

• Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces;

• Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing; · Have a cell phone handy, if possible, but do not text while driving; distracted driving is illegal and becomes even more dangerous during storm events;

• Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound;

• Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes;

• Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival;

• Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound.

DOT provides a travel advisory system that features real-time travel reports and can be accessed by phone at 511 or online www.511ny.org. The Web site features a color-coded map indicating which state roads are snow covered, ice covered, wet, dry, or closed to help travelers determine if travel is advisable.

The system provides real-time snow and ice conditions for interstates and other heavily traveled roads, as reported by snowplow operators.