Hochul touts Hurricane Preparedness Week in New York [Video]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday the beginning of Hurricane Preparedness Week in New York state.

With 15 tropical storm systems having directly impacted the state since 2012, and their frequency doubling over the last six years, Hochul said the need to prepare for their impact has been made a priority.

“Every New Yorker who experienced Hurricanes Irene and Sandy knows the tragic, unpredictable nature of these storms, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect our state against extreme weather events to come,” Hochul said in a statement. “We have invested billions into storm preparedness and recovery efforts, and we will take every step necessary to ensure New Yorkers are protected.”

As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, which runs through May 11, officials toured a USAF Reserve WC-130J hurricane hunter aircraft and a NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft, which are used to …