Putnam EOC Remains Open-Restoration Efforts a Priority-Some County Offices Closed For Thu 5/17/18

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The County Executive continues to oversee the operations at the Putnam County EOC meeting with Governor Cuomo to review the destruction. The priority is the safety of our responders and the public. “It’s our hope today after the utility companies complete their make safe mode and assessment that the county and local highway crews will begin to cut and clear the downed trees and poles,” County Executive MaryEllen Odell said. “Let’s be courteous, let’s be respectful and let’s remember we are all in this together and we will keep everyone in our prayers. We have been lucky in Putnam County. We did not suffer any fatalities.”

Putnam County remains in a State of Emergency. With the exception of essential services and the Department of Motor Vehicles the County will remain closed on Thursday, May 17, 2018. This will include all public transportation including Pre-K/Early Intervention and all senior services. This was made necessary as there is still no power to many of our campuses.

To allow a coordinated response, key personnel remain in the Putnam County EOC. This includes NYSEG, Central Hudson the National Guard and Highway Departments. NYSEG is reporting 24,057 still without power and Central Hudson reports 2,618 without power. NYSEG CEO Karl Taylor was at the EOC today meeting with County Executive Odell where they worked to identify and prioritize restoration efforts. “While the effort is to quickly restore power we must do it safely and working with Mr. Taylor I believe we have developed a good plan”, said Odell.

NYSEG will make dry ice and water available Thursday, May 17, 2018. Distribution locations are being established with local municipalities. For exact locations please contact your Town/Village representatives.

Working with community leaders we were able to open several comfort stations today and expect them to be open for Thursday. All comfort stations have bathroom facilities and will provide an area to recharge your electronic devices.

The comfort stations for Thursday May 17, 2018 are as follows:

Putnam Valley Friendship Center  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
117 Town Park Lane
Putnam Valley NY

Patterson Recreation Center    7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
65 Front St
Patterson NY

Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association    7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
15 Mt Ebo Rd S
Brewster NY

Highway personnel working with NYSEG and Central Hudson crews continue to cut, clear and make safe. This allows NYSEG and Central Hudson to make systematic electric restorations. There are still 168 road closures in the County. The NYS Police, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and local police are providing traffic control at numerous intersections where traffic signals are not working.

Residents are reminded that to report a power outage or downed wires you should call your local utility company; NYSEG 800-572-1131. Central Hudson 845-452-2700 or use their apps.

Please remember to be safe when there are downed power lines. Wires that look dead may still be live and power could be restored at any time making those wires life threatening.

Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets, a furnace or any electrically operated appliance that is energized. The water or moisture may conduct electricity. Contact may cause serious or fatal injury.

You may have a lot of tree debris in your yard following a storm. Wait until power line repairs are complete before you begin your storm cleanup.

Turn on appliances and sensitive electronic equipment one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.

Replenish emergency supplies used during the storm.

Please call 9-1-1 if you need immediate police, fire or EMS response.

Audio Recording URL:  http://jic.nyalert.gov/Public/DownloadAudio.aspx?parentid=5212731&type=3