MONTICELLO – A State of
Emergency has been declared for Sullivan County from 12 p.m. Friday until
12 a.m. on Saturday because of the impacts of the nor’easter hitting
the county.
“I have declared the State of Emergency in Sullivan County to ensure
the safety of the county residents,” said County Manager Joshua
Potosek. “All county offices other than 24-hour facilities are closed
today, and citizens should stay off all roads countywide.”
The declaration bans non-essential travel on all county and local roads.
This prohibition does not apply to vehicles engaged in road maintenance
due to the storm or those traveling to or from their jobs in relation
to these duties, along with medical and healthcare personnel, public employees
designated as essential personnel, utility operators and repair personnel,
and volunteers or employees of non-profit organizations providing emergency
assistance associated with the storm.
As of 12:30 p.m. today, the following County Routes are closed: 12 and
13 (Route 55 between Eldred and White Lake), 21 and 22 (Barryville and
Yulan), 26 (Crystal Lake Road), 32 (between Glen Spey and Eldred), 71
(Ferndale) and NYS Route 97 (between Narrowsburg and the Orange County
line near Port Jervis).
Residents can prepare for this or any other emergency in severe weather:
• Review their household disaster plan. Know how to contact all
family members at all times. Identify an out-of-town friend or family
member to be the “emergency family contact.” Then make certain
all family members have that number. Designate a family emergency meeting
point; some familiar location where the family can meet in the event the
home is accessible.
• Have on hand a three day supply of food and water. One gallon
of water per person per day is rule plus water for personal hygiene. Food
on hand should not require refrigeration or heating.
• Prepare an emergency phone list of people and organizations that
may need to be called. Include children’s schools, doctors, child/senior
care providers, and insurance agents.
• Ensure that enough non-perishable food and water supplies are
on hand. Make sure battery-operated radios and flashlights are available
and have an ample supply of batteries. Have a first aid kit available
and make sure there is an ample supply of medicines on hand for those
who require them.
• Pay attention to the news. Know the local radio and television
stations that will provide up-to-date official information during an emergency.
• Know the hurricane/storm risks in their areas, and learn the storm
surge history and area’s elevation.
• Learn their community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.
• Learn safe routes inland and local sheltering plans.
• Make arrangements on where to relocate pets during a storm because
most shelters will not allow pets.
• Store important documents – insurance policies, medical
records, bank account numbers, Social Security cards, etc. – in
a waterproof container.
Also, have cash (in small bills), checkbook, credit and ATM cards readily
available.
One of the best ways that residents can receive emergency information
is from NY-ALERT, New York State’s All-hazards Alert and Notification
Systems. To subscribe for this service, visit www.nyalert.gov. If you
do not have access to the Internet, you may still sign up for NY-ALERT
by calling 1-888-697-6972.
