County Opens Senior Centers as 'Comfort Stations'

The Putnam County Emergency Management team sent the following to residents, via NY-Alert (the state's online communication system), shortly after 9 a.m. Monday:

Headline:  Putnam County Prepares for Hurricane Sandy

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell has been meeting with all local municipal officials, emergency responders and utility companies since Friday in preparation for the impending storm.  County Executive MaryEllen Odell announces the following actions.

The Putnam County Emergency Operations Center is fully staffed and operational.

Putnam County Transit and Para-Transit will be suspended at 2:00 pm today until further notice.  There will be no public transportation until further notice.

The Putnam Valley Senior Center and the William Koehler Center in Mahopac will be open as "comfort stations" only.  The "comfort stations" are set up to provide residents with heat and electricity.

The Putnam Valley Senior Center (117 Town Park Lane in Putnam Valley) and The William Koehler Center (180 Route 6 in Mahopac) will be open today at 9:00 am until 5:00 pm as the worst of the storm is anticipated to arrive after 5:00 pm and last through the evening.  The centers will be open Tuesday from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm.  Future operating hours of the centers will be determined as the storm progresses.

The Putnam County Office of Aging's Meals-on-Wheels Program has been suspended and senior transportation is cancelled until further notice.

Putnam County Officials advise the following:

• Report all power outages to your local utility company (NYSEG-1-800-572-1131 & Central Hudson-1-800-527-2714).
• Stay off all roads unless necessary and remain indoors.
• Do not run any generator in indoors and have proper ventilation.
• Do not heat your home with any stove or oven.
• Use caution when using candles.
• Call 911 for emergencies only.

County Executive MaryEllen Odell wants residents to be vigilant regarding their safety during this storm and stay tune to your local radio stations for further detail and announcements.

Click here for more information on Hurricane Sandy, and the impact in Putnam. Click here to learn more about NY-Alert, which requires individuals to register.

And don't forget to shate updates (cancellations, downed trees, outages, etc.) and weather-related photos! You can leave them here, or email Ashley.Tarr@Patch.com.