Governor Andrew M. Cuomo last night declared a state of emergency in Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, and Sullivan Counties as they continue to recover from several severe thunderstorms that occurred throughout Tuesday. As part of the recovery effort, the Governor has deployed 125 members of the New York National Guard to further assist communities with recovery efforts. Currently, thousands of state and local personnel are already working hand in hand with pre-deployed equipment to clear transportation corridors of debris and assess damage throughout the affected areas. A travel advisory was also put into effect this evening for these counties in order to allow recovery workers to do their jobs safely.
"New York has once again withstood the fury of Mother Nature and now is the time for the state and our local partners to get communities throughout the Mid-Hudson region up and running again," Governor Cuomo said. "Driving and accessing roadways may still be difficult and I encourage all drivers to stay off the roads in order for our crews to get our roadways clear and safe as soon as possible."
New York National Guard
The National Guard deployment will begin the morning of Wednesday, May 16 with 125 members out of Camp Smith in Westchester County. They will be assisting state, county and local personnel with efforts ranging from debris clearance to traffic control.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Office of Emergency Management is actively monitoring the situation and remains in close coordination with local emergency management and the National Weather Service. State Stockpiles are prepared and assets are ready to deploy to affected regions, which include 750 generators, 259 light towers, 1,246 pumps of various sizes, over 1,700,000 sandbags, 13 sandbaggers, over 56,350 ready to eat meals, over 430,000 bottles and cans of water, over 9,000 cots, and 12,340 blankets and 13,613 pillows.
Additionally, the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has dispatched 17 personnel to Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Westchester Counties. These personnel will provide situational support and damage assessment assistance to their local counterparts.
New York State Department of Transportation
Several roads throughout the Mid-Hudson region are closed or experiencing delays as a result of downed trees, power lines and other debris in the roadways. Crews are on site, working as quickly as possible to clear the roadways. They are equipped with 75 excavators, four bulldozers, 20 graders, 17 vacuum trucks with sewer jets, 12 water pumps, 1,441 large dump trucks, 318 large loaders, 15 tree crew bucket trucks, 79 chippers, 57 traffic signal trucks, and 13 water tankers.
With the storm now passed, crews have begun to assess the need for additional resources throughout the region. The following assets are prepared and ready to be deployed as needed: 386 large dump trucks, 102 larger loaders, 27 excavators, 23 chippers, 11 traffic signal trucks, 8 graders, 7 water tanker trucks, 5 vacuum trucks, 4 bucket trucks, one bulldozer, and one water pump.
In addition, the Department has Variable Message Signs up on state roads in the affected regions warning motorists of road severe weather conditions. Motorists are also reminded to check 511NY by calling 511 or by accessing www.511ny.org before traveling. The free service allows users to check road conditions and transit information.
Motorists are reminded that State Law mandates that if an intersection is "blacked out" and the traffic signal is not operational, the intersection is automatically a "four way" stop. In the event of closed or blocked roadways due to flooding, downed power lines or debris, motorists are advised to exercise caution and obey all traffic signs or barricades in place, regardless of whether a roadway looks clear.
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