The Capital Region braces for its first major snowstorm for the season. YNN's Madeleine Rivera visited a local DPW and talked to the State DOT to find out how they're prepping for the snowfall.

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CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. -- "Whatever Mother Nature throws at us, we're ready for it," said Steve Lichorat, Schenectady County's DPW Road Supervisor.

The Capital Region is gearing up for its first major snowstorm. And local DPWs are working around the clock to make sure they're set until the last snowflake hits the ground.

"We got our shifts ready to go. We've deployed our shifts for 12 hours a piece, starting at 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., then 1 a.m. to 1 pm. so we have 24 hour coverage of the storm," said Lichorat.

Twenty-one salt trucks, all loaded and ready to go, are benefitting from a surplus of salt due to last year's lack of snow. This is likely a good thing now as recent weather reports predict us getting more than a foot of snow, making for dangerous driving conditions.

"Go slow. Leave more time than you think, be careful out there, don't try to pass a snow plow, they're big vehicles, it's dangerous and obviously, the road in front of a snow plow, is probably not plowed," said Bryan Viggiani, a State DOT spokesman.

The DPW and the State DOT say they're hard at work. But sometimes, in the middle of the storm, not everyone sees the effort.

"I always tell people we're in the same element as they are, I wish we had some kind of magical plow so we can see better, but we don't, so we try our best at all times," said Lichorat.

And the storm won't cool their enthusiasm.

"I believe that whole entire staff. They're excited. Believe it or not. Like I said, it was pretty for one whole entire year," said Lichorat.

Those driving can also call 511 or visit www.511NY.org for more traffic and travel info.