Dutchess County Braces for Frigid Temps and Winter Storm
County Executive Sue Serino has declared State of Emergency with Emergency Order Restricting Travel on Sunday and Monday County offices closed Monday, Jan. 26th

Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino is advising residents to be prepared for significant winter weather this weekend and has declared a State of Emergency in preparation, based on current forecasts.  The National Weather Service (Albany) has posted a WINTER STORM WARNING beginning at 7am on Sunday, January 25th until 7pm on Monday, January 26th.  Widespread heavy snowfall is expected with snow accumulation totaling 12-24” across the county. Under the State of Emergency, County Executive Serino issued an emergency order restricting travel in Dutchess County that will be effective starting 5am on Sunday until 5pm on Monday. County Executive Serino also issued an emergency order closing County offices on Monday.

County Executive Serino said, “We are braced for a major winter event this Sunday and Monday.  To ensure public safety and allow road crews to keep up with the storm, we have issued an emergency order banning travel in Dutchess County starting from 5 a.m. Sunday through 5 p.m. Monday, and I ask residents to please abide by it for everyone’s safety.”

The emergency order restricts travel on roadways in Dutchess County on Sunday and Monday except for emergency vehicles and essential personnel such as medical and health facility personnel; law enforcement and public safety personnel; first responders; utility, maintenance and public works personnel; snow removal sanding, salting and clearing operations personnel; facility operations persons deemed necessary for plant operations by their employers; and public and government personnel involved in emergency operations.

County Executive Serino hosted a conference call this afternoon with local and state elected officials, as well as representatives from utility companies and County teams including Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Response, Public Works and others to discuss potential storm impacts and proactive measures being taken including

• The Dutchess County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be operational on Sunday and Monday to coordinate response to storm conditions and Dutchess County’s 9-1-1 Communication Center is fully staffed, with additional staffing scheduled throughout the storm. 
• Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) will have additional road patrol deputies on duty throughout the storm deployed in four-wheel-drive vehicles, with other all-terrain vehicles strategically stationed to be utilized as necessary.  DCSO works collaboratively with the Department of Emergency Response to respond as needed.
• Dutchess County Public Works Highway Division crews have prepped the County’s fleet of more than 50 vehicles and equipment with materials to be applied to County roadways as the storm begins, and crews will be out through the duration of the storm to clear roadways.
• Dutchess County Parks will be closed on Sunday and Monday with Parks Division employees assisting with snow removal operations throughout the county.
• Dutchess County Public Transit (DCPT) will operate on a normal fixed-route schedule for Saturday, but there will be no bus service on Sunday or Monday.  Additional DCPT updates will be posted at www.dutchessny.gov/publictransit, on the DCPT mobile SPOT app, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.  Riders can also call (845) 473-8424.
• Dutchess County Government offices will be closed Monday, including Dutchess County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices.  Confirmed DMV appointments for Monday will be honored at the same time and office on Tuesday, January 27th as weather conditions permit.
• The Office for the Aging’s eight Senior Friendship Centers will be closed on Monday, and there will be no Home Delivered Meals deliveries; shelf-stable meals have been delivered to older adults enrolled in the program.

Frigid temperatures are also a concern, with temperatures dropping to single digits starting this evening (Friday, January 23rd).  Dutchess County’s CODE BLUE protocol is in effect for anyone who needs shelter when temperatures are 32 degrees or below.  Dutchess County Department of Community & Family Services (DCFS) collaborates with community partners to ensure every resident is safe.  Anyone who needs emergency shelter should call DCFS at 845-486-3300 on weekdays between 9am and 5pm or call 2-1-1 after business hours/weekends to be connected with staff who will assist in getting people to shelter placement.  

Residents can stay up to date on Dutchess County’s storm response online at www.dutchessny.gov/stormupdates and on Dutchess County Government’s Facebook page.  

Additionally, winter weather safety tips are available online at dutchessny.gov/WinterPreparedness.

County Executive Serino concluded, “We are grateful to all of the highway crews, first responders, utility and other essential workers who will be out working in the storm to keep the public safe.   We encourage all of our neighbors to be smart and stay safe by following safety guidance and travel ban orders.  Let us all look out for one another - reach out to check in with elderly neighbors and others who live alone, lend a helping hand where you can, so together we all get safely through the storm.”