County Executive O’Neil Declares State of Emergency
in Anticipation of Season’s Largest Snowstorm
Dutchess County Government offices to be closed on Tuesday, March 14th
Poughkeepsie… With significant snowfall amounts forecast for Dutchess County for the next 36 hours, County Executive William F.X. O’Neil has issued a State of Emergency declaration, effective at 8pm tonight, as well as two Executive Orders putting travel restrictions in place effective 4am Tuesday and closing County offices for Tuesday, March 14th from 7am-5pm. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Dutchess County through Wednesday, March 15th, with snowfall expected to arrive tonight, continuing throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. The NWS forecasts the heaviest snow fall between midnight and noon Tuesday, with 1-2 inches per hour expected.
Total accumulation for Dutchess County varies between 6 and 12 inches, according to NWS forecasts. Due to the heavy, wet snow expected in combination with wind gusts as high as 40 mph Tuesday into Wednesday, numerous power outages are anticipated due to downed trees and wires. Tuesday’s morning and evening commutes are expected to be impacted significantly.
County Executive O’Neil said, “Reports indicate this storm is going to give us significant, wet snowfall and winds. We are monitoring the situation carefully and emergency responders are prepared. We want everyone to be safe and avoid travel if possible. If you must travel, recognize that you’ll need to allow lots of extra time, as crews work to clear roadways.”
Dutchess County Emergency Response will activate the Emergency Operations Center at 8 p.m. this evening, and it will remain open for the duration of the storm with representatives from New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Police, the County Sheriff’s Office, County departments of Behavioral & Community Health and Public Works, Central Hudson, NYSEG and Red Cross.
County Executive O’Neil will host a conference call with local mayors and supervisors on Tuesday afternoon to review storm conditions and coordinate resources as necessary.
Dutchess 9-1-1 Center and 9-8-8 HELPLINE remains fully staffed and prepared to address residents’ emergency and mental health needs.
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is fully staffed through Wednesday, including activating its ATV and other specialty units to assist residents and emergency responders as needed.
Dutchess County Public Works highway crews have loaded trucks with materials, salt has been applied to County roadways, and crews will be out through the duration of the storm to clear roadways.
Dutchess County Public Transit (DCPT) has suspended all service for Tuesday, March 14th. For updates on service for Wednesday, March 15th, bus passengers can visit www.dutchessny.gov/
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Senior Friendship Centers will be closed on Tuesday, March 14th, and no Home Delivered Meals (HDM) deliveries will be made Tuesday, HDM recipients should use previously provided frozen or shelf stable meal.
Dutchess County Government offices will be closed Tuesday, March 14th. Individuals who have DMV appointments in Poughkeepsie, Wappinger, Beacon or Millbrook will be rescheduled for the same appointment time and location on March 15th. For information on scheduled Road Tests, please go to www.dmv.ny.gov
Residents can stay up-to-date on the County’s storm response online at dutchessny.gov or on the County’s social media pages on Facebook or Twitter.
