CNY Prepares For First Winter Storm Of The Year; Reminders and Tips
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: December 26, 2012
The biggest snowfall in nearly 2 years is headed our way. Our Chief
Meterologist Jeff Matthews says there's going to be a lot of white
tonight. Eyewitness News speaks with area experts to find out the best
ways YOU can prepare.
It may be too late to winterize cars if people haven't already done so, but they still can prepare. We speak with a snow-plow business, an auto shop, and AAA to find out all the driving strategies people will want to know to get home safely this storm, and all winter long.
"Everybody thought we weren't gonna have a winter, it's coming," says Russell Schmitt, manager of Oriskany Tire.
Schmitt says he's had customers all day making last-minute preparations.
"I'm putting some winter tires on my truck so I have good treading and good traction, so I can drive through the storm," says Dave Piacentino, Utica resident.
"I come have my tire pressure checked. I found a light on, so I figured with the weather coming, I better have it checked out," says Jean Smith, Herkimer County resident.
Schmitt says prepping is the best thing you can do, and making sure your car is fully stocked.
"Snow tires, winter wiper blades, antifreeze, shovel, blanket," says Schmitt.
Schmitt says winterizing your car is key. He says when the snow starts coming down, there's a huge difference between snow tires and all-season tires.
"Once theirs an inch of snow on the road, an all-season tire, is no good," says Schmitt.
People can expect to see snow-plows working hard.
"The city of Utica will have a little trouble after 6 inches of snow. It takes them a little longer to clear it, it takes them a little longer to salt it," says Arthur Risucci, Art's Tree, Stump & Snow-Plow Removal
But Risucci says people can help by simply being patient.
"When its snowing hard, we're looking for the addresses of drive ways, so it takes us a little longer. Everybody tries to go around you. It becomes dangerous so they gotta slow down and wait and see what that plow trucks gonna do. They have the yellow lights on, it means caution, but people try to go around you to quick," says Risucci.
But if you do find yourself in a fender-bender...
"Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, take pictures to the vehicle that hit you or you hit, and just have that information," says Ed Welsh, Utica AAA.
AAA says always remember the basics.
"Drive slow, double your distance and drive defensively is the best advice I can offer," says Welsh.
And all the businesses urge people to be patient and take caution.
The city of Utica has declared a snow emergency until further notice. And This means all vehicles must be off city streets by 10pm tonight. Officials say vehicles left on the street will be towed.
It may be too late to winterize cars if people haven't already done so, but they still can prepare. We speak with a snow-plow business, an auto shop, and AAA to find out all the driving strategies people will want to know to get home safely this storm, and all winter long.
"Everybody thought we weren't gonna have a winter, it's coming," says Russell Schmitt, manager of Oriskany Tire.
Schmitt says he's had customers all day making last-minute preparations.
"I'm putting some winter tires on my truck so I have good treading and good traction, so I can drive through the storm," says Dave Piacentino, Utica resident.
"I come have my tire pressure checked. I found a light on, so I figured with the weather coming, I better have it checked out," says Jean Smith, Herkimer County resident.
Schmitt says prepping is the best thing you can do, and making sure your car is fully stocked.
"Snow tires, winter wiper blades, antifreeze, shovel, blanket," says Schmitt.
Schmitt says winterizing your car is key. He says when the snow starts coming down, there's a huge difference between snow tires and all-season tires.
"Once theirs an inch of snow on the road, an all-season tire, is no good," says Schmitt.
People can expect to see snow-plows working hard.
"The city of Utica will have a little trouble after 6 inches of snow. It takes them a little longer to clear it, it takes them a little longer to salt it," says Arthur Risucci, Art's Tree, Stump & Snow-Plow Removal
But Risucci says people can help by simply being patient.
"When its snowing hard, we're looking for the addresses of drive ways, so it takes us a little longer. Everybody tries to go around you. It becomes dangerous so they gotta slow down and wait and see what that plow trucks gonna do. They have the yellow lights on, it means caution, but people try to go around you to quick," says Risucci.
But if you do find yourself in a fender-bender...
"Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, take pictures to the vehicle that hit you or you hit, and just have that information," says Ed Welsh, Utica AAA.
AAA says always remember the basics.
"Drive slow, double your distance and drive defensively is the best advice I can offer," says Welsh.
And all the businesses urge people to be patient and take caution.
The city of Utica has declared a snow emergency until further notice. And This means all vehicles must be off city streets by 10pm tonight. Officials say vehicles left on the street will be towed.
