Odell Recommends APP and Hurricane Preparedness Plan
Odell Recommends APP and Hurricane Preparedness Plan
As June 1 was the official start of the hurricane season, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell is urging residents to plan ahead by creating emergency plans, storing necessary supplies and knowing what resources are available to help.
“In recent years, Putnam residents have endured Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and Superstorm Sandy, so we know that we are not immune to the devastation that can come with severe weather,” said Odell. “While I hope that we are spared from the loss of power, limited accessibility to gas and downed trees that have plagued the region in past storms, it is always a good idea to be prepared and plan ahead.”
To help residents devise their own emergency plan, Putnam County has on its Putnam County Cares mobile app, an Emergency Services category where the interactive Emergency Go Kit and Weather Emergency Tips can be found. The app provides up-to-the-minute information about emergency situations, outages, charging stations and other valuable information during and after a storm.
“For so many of us, our cell phones become our lifeline during and in the aftermath of a storm. By having the Putnam County Cares app on your device, you will instantly have valuable information at your fingertips,” said Odell.
In addition to updating information on its app, Putnam County also has information available on its website (www.putnamcountyny.com) where PutnamCountyCares.org can be found in the streaming news banner. The county also pushes information out through its Facebook (Facebook.com/Putnam-County-Government) and Twitter (PutnamCountyGov.) pages.
Odell strongly recommends that residents participate in NY-Alert, the state’s all-hazards alert and notification web-based portal. NY-Alert is a free service that provides critical emergency-related information including instructions and recommended protective actions developed in real-time by emergency service personnel. Concurrent with the posting to this website, that same information is disseminated through various communications systems (e.g. email, cell phones, media outlets) to those who have signed on.
The information posted through NY-Alert includes severe weather warnings, significant highway closures, hazardous materials spills, and many other emergency conditions. By signing up, users will find information regarding response actions being taken by local and state agencies and protective actions that should be taken to protect individuals, families and property.
“NY-Alert is a tool to provide residents with critical information when it is most needed,” said Odell.
To sign up for NY-Alert visit www.nyalert.gov.
The county is continually working with other municipalities as well as with New York State Electric and Gas and Central Hudson Gas & Electric on the best practices and decisions in the days leading up to a forecasted storm, during the storm, and in the short- and long-term recovery following a major storm.
Putnam County Government is online at putnamcountyny.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Putnam-County-Government/157050931063685 and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/putnamcountygov
