Putnam Officials Ask Public To Stay Off Roads During Nor'Easter

From the Putnam County Executive's Office

There were few power outages in Putnam County by mid-afternoon, but with winds expected to pick up through afternoon and evening, county emergency service and highway hazard crews are prepared, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said.

The latest forecast calls for up to 24 inches of snow, with winds of up to 40 miles per hour and gusts of up to 55 miles per hour. The storm is expected to continue into Tuesday night.

“The wind gusts are our biggest concern,” County Executive Odell said. “That’s when trees fall, that’s when power outages happen and that’s when the roads get really, really hazardous. Please, everyone, stay off the roads.”

Metro-North announced it would temporarily suspend service as of 3 p.m. due to snow and winds.

County Executive Odell declared a state of emergency for Putnam County on Monday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the entire Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island.

Putnam County’s Incident Command Structure has been activated and Putnam County hazard crews have been out on the roads since Sunday night. They will continue to be out there through and after the storm, working with the local highway crews throughout the county. Emergency Services, police and fire departments throughout the county are on standby and ready to respond.

NYSEG is staffed for the storm with 79 contractor crews, 29 wire guards, 34 tree crews, 20 damage assessment crews and 15 internal crews.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric is staffed with 55 contractors and 125 lineman.

Residents can report any outages to their local utility company.

NYSEG can be contacted at 800-572-1131.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric can be contacted at 845-452-2700. Both companies have an app available for download to track and report outages.

As in every emergency, the Incident Command Structure has identified critical facilities that must be kept open and functioning throughout the storm. This time the site where we keep COVID-19 vaccines has been named a critical facility. We want to make sure that if in fact we do see power outages, it will be identified as a priority.

“Even if there are widespread power outages, we will be able to keep the vaccines refrigerated,” County Executive Odell said. “We have gotten so few vaccines from the state as it is, we’re not going to let a single dose go to waste.”

All Putnam County offices, with the exception of essential services were closed Monday. All county public transportation, including PART, ParaTransit, Veteran’s and Pre-K/EI Transports and Croton Falls Commuters, was suspended for the day. All senior meal services were canceled. The decision on reopening offices and restarting transit and senior services will be made late tonight or early tomorrow, County Executive Odell said.

Stay home, stay safe. Remember to check on your neighbors.

For updated information, check the county website at putnamcountyny.gov

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