Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus has announced the County has organized and coordinated outreach locations to provide support, services and information to residents who have been adversely affected by the recent storm and subsequent flooding.   Representatives from several Dutchess County Government departments will be on hand to offer information and assistance.   The Executive has also arranged for participation from representatives of local municipalities and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO).

County Executive Steinhaus stated, “I’ve seen first hand in neighborhoods all over Dutchess County how the storm and the resulting flooding have damaged homes and businesses, but it has also taken an emotional toll on residents.   This is a very stressful time and we want residents to know they have somewhere to turn to.”

Outreach Location Schedule

Thursday, April 26th
• LaGrange Town Hall at 120 Stringham Road from 7pm to 9pm.

The Department of Mental Hygiene trauma team will provide crisis counseling and referral to anyone in need.   Residents may be feeling overwhelmed, depressed or anxious dealing with the aftermath of the flooding.  Counselors will be on hand to offer support and guidance.

The Division of Aging Services (OFA) has been working with many of the seniors in Dutchess County that already receive OFA services and have been affected by the recent flooding.      These outreach sessions will enable OFA to offer some much needed assistance to the elderly who are not currently being served by the office.

The Department of Health Environmental Health Services Division representatives will be in attendance to discuss and answer inquiries about Public Health considerations that may result from the recent flooding including a Senior Public Health Sanitarian and an Engineer from the Department of Health. They will be available to discuss drinking water quality issues and general sanitation measures related to flood affected homeowners including mold prevention and other guidelines for safe and healthy household clean-up.

Social Services representatives will provide information about emergency housing, food stamp assistance, furnace repair and other related services.

Emergency Response representatives will be on hand along with local municipal officials and New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) representatives to guide residents through the damage assessment and claims procedure.    Residents who have experienced damage due to the flooding and do not have insurance coverage for the loss will need to submit damage estimates, photos and other documentation to the local municipal officials as quickly as possible so that local towns and villages can apply for federal aid.

“Our neighbors are in need, so we are here help them. We are coming together to strengthen our communities with County government and local municipalities along with State officials and the American Red Cross to help people get through this difficult time and get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible,”  concluded Steinhaus.

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