Putnam County declares State of Emergency

NEW YORK STATE POLICE 
Major Robert C. Gregory
Troop K Commander

Putnam County has declared a State of Emergency in the wake of tonight’s serious storm.  There are no emergency orders at this time.

Please stay away from any lines that are down as they may be live, and should be considered extremely dangerous.  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.

New Yorkers should also check on friends, family and neighbors, especially the elderly.

If You Lose Power

• Call your utility provider to notify them of the outage and listen to local broadcasts for official information. For a list of utilities, visit the New York State Department of Public Service Check to see if your neighbors have power. Check on people with access or functional needs.
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting – candles pose the risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerators and freezer doors closed – most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for approximately four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.
• Do not use a charcoal grill indoors and do not use a gas stove for heat – they could give off harmful levels of carbon monoxide.

After a Power Outage

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures above 40°F (4°C) for two or more hours, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. “When in doubt, throw it out!”
• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, it can be re-frozen.
• If you are concerned about medications having spoiled, contact your doctor.
• Restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies.