SYRACUSE -- Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy had reassuring words for Central New Yorkers about preparations for Hurricane Sandy.
Duffy held a news conference at Onondaga County's Emergency Operations Center in Syracuse.
Duffy told reporters, "I'm confident we are as prepared as we can be right now."
Duffy said the main concern for central New York is the high wind associated with the hurricane and the possibility of power outages.
When asked if utility and rescue crews would be called upon to assist other states, Duffy said New York would be the "priority before sharing resources with other states."
Accompanying Duffy was Carl Ford, Regional Director of the New York State Department of Transportation. Ford said he has mobilized 300 personnel and 300 pieces of equipment to prepare for the storm. He advised motorists not to drive through standing water, don't drive around barricades and treat a blacked out traffic lights as you would a stop sign at an intersection.
Also attending the news conference were Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. Miner called upon everyone to "please exercise caution. If you can stay at home, stay at home and look in on your neighbors."
Mahoney said it appears "we're going to miss the brunt of the storm but we have to be prepared...better safe than sorry."
