UPDATE: This travel ban has been lifted. Read more at this link.

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As snow continues to heavily fall on our area, Governor Cuomo has announced a full travel ban in Broome County.

The travel ban was to begin on 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also announced temporary tractor trailer bans on interstates on I-81, I-84, I-86/Route 17, I-88 and all of the New York State Thruway.

“During any emergency situation, protecting the safety of New Yorkers is our number one priority. By enacting this tractor trailer ban and banning travel in Broome County, we are putting the safety of travelers first and allowing emergency crews to clear roadways as soon as possible.  We encourage all New Yorkers take appropriate precautions now so that they can stay home and stay safe as these dangerous conditions continue,” said Cuomo.

Furthermore, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has issued a State of Emergency and has closed all Roads in Broome County. A complete travel ban in is effect for all nonessential personnel.

“With the updated forecast from the National Weather Service not likely to improve throughout the day this is the best way to ensure the safety of the people of Broome County. Please stay off of the roads for your safety and the safety of others,” said Garnar.

Garnar says Broome County plows with be on the roads for as long as it takes to get them cleared, and that the fewer cars driving and parked on the streets the easier it will be for them.

In a call on Tuesday morning, Governor Cuomo said with snow falling at more than 4 inches an hour, Broome County just couldn’t keep up with cleaning it up.

He called the roads of Broome County “truly unsafe” and said that more resources – snow plows, personnel, and members of the National Guard – will be deployed to Broome County and the I-88 corridor.

State officials say that plows from other regions are on their way, with nearly 200 are expected to be in operation by 4 p.m.

Cuomo says that much of the help will be coming from the NYC region, where extra crews were initially sent to on Monday due to the forecast there.

County Executive Garnar said on the call that Broome County is “ground zero” of this storm, and credited precautions taken as early as Monday with the minimal damage the storm has left behind in Broome County.

Garnar says he expects many snow records in the area to be broken Tuesday.

Mayor Richard C. David has also declared a general state of emergency for the City of Binghamton effective 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March. 14.

Residents are urged to stay off roads in the City of Binghamton except for essential or emergency travel.

Residents are also asked to assist the City in clearing snow around fire hydrants in their neighborhoods.

A State of Emergency was also declared in the Village of Johnson City.