Cuomo urges New Yorkers not to take Sandy "lightly"

Governor Cuomo spent Sunday traveling from Long Island to the Adirondacks, informing New Yorkers of storm preparation and warning everyone to use common sense and be careful.

Cuomo made stops in the New York City and Long Island regions, where the storm is predicted to hit, as well as upstate areas in the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and Adirondacks that suffered during last year’s storms Irene and Lee.

The governor says 1,175 National Guard troops have been deployed, and he’s monitoring utility companies in the event of power outages.

Cuomo says no one should panic, but the storm should not be taken lightly. He urges New Yorkers to be prudent.

“In truth, we don’t know,” said Cuomo. “We know there’s going to be a lot of rain and we know there are going to be very high winds.”  

The governor says a “problematic” storm surge is expected in the New York City and Long Island region.  

“Whatever it is, it is going to be very serious,” Cuomo said.

A state of emergency for all of New York has been in effect since Friday, people in low lying coastal areas have been evacuated, and many schools are closed.

And, the governor warns, stay off the roads.

More on what Sandy means for upstate New York and resources to track the storm can be found here.