Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has declared a State of Emergency for the County due to the severity of Thursday’s winter storm.
Neuhaus has directed residents stay off the roads unless they are providing medical care or engaged in law enforcement or storm related work.
“The County’s Emergency Services team continues to monitor the storm closely and our public works crews and local police will make every effort to keep roads passable and safe, but we need all residents to stay off the roads during the state of emergency,” Neuhaus said. “I encourage residents to check in on their neighbors, particularly senior citizens, during the storm.”
The County’s State of Emergency runs until 5 a.m. on Friday morning.
This prohibition does not apply to:
- Vehicles engaged in snow removal, sanding, salting, clearing and towing operations or those traveling to or from their jobs in relation to these duties
- Medical personnel en route to or from their offices or hospitals for the treatment of patients
- Public employees designated as essential personnel by their employers or contractors retained by the government to perform emergency related services
- Utility operators and repair personnel
- Volunteers or employees of non-profit organizations providing emergency help associated with disaster relief, recovery, and assistance at the Direction of or with the authorization of the Commissioner of Emergency Services of Orange County
By 5 a.m. on Friday morning, Neuhaus said plows will likely have had an opportunity to push back against the snow, which is expected to mix with sleet and rain. However, Neuhaus urged motorists to still stay off the roads unless necessary, even after 5 a.m. to allow plows a chance to continue to treat the roadways.
“I cannot overstate my advice to stay off the roads this evening and into Friday morning,” Neuhaus said. “I am also authorizing the use of County assets on State and local roads as needed in order to help save lives and mitigate property damage.”
NY-ALERT, New York State’s all-hazards alert and notification system, is one of the best ways residents can receive emergency information. To subscribe for this free service, please visit www.nyalert.gov. If you do not have internet access, you may still sign up for NY-ALERT by calling 1-888-697-6972.
For more information about storm-preparation efforts in Orange County as well as current weather advisories, please visit the Division of Emergency Management’s website at orangecountygov.com/dem, or its Facebook page, facebook.com/OrangeCountyEmergencyManagement/.
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