New York National Guard
The National Guard deployment began this morning 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.
State Agency Response Efforts
Currently, state officials from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Police, and Department of Public Service, have been deployed to the region to assist with recovery operations. 33 large generators from the state’s ten regional stockpiles have been sent to Dutchess, Orange and Westchester Counties to support traffic operations and power generation at key facilities in the region, as well as ten pallets of bottled water to Putnam County. Additionally, 125 members of the National Guard and 25 personnel from the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Office of Emergency Management are currently assisting localities with damage assessments and emergency operations support. A mobile command center is also en route that will be staffed by Department of Financial Services personnel to assist Putnam Valley residents with insurance claims.
Department of Transportation
558 DOT personnel are available for storm response in the Mid-Hudson Region and an additional 424 staff available for storm response in Sullivan County. In addition, the Department has deployed more than 120 maintenance staff and supervisors from the Capital Region, the Mohawk Valley, Central New York and the Southern Tier to help the region dig out from the storm, including four tree crews, 14 brush/chipper crews, and four traffic signal crews that have been deployed to the region to assist in recovery efforts.
The following assets are prepared for deployment 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.
Mobile users can download the updated, free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app now features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.