Poughkeepsie, NY... Dutchess County Public Works (DPW) highway crew members are headed to Buffalo, New York to help the region dig out from an historic series of storms that have buried Erie County. According to news reports, at least 28 people have died.
Blizzard conditions have dumped several feet of snow on the region, with snow and wind conditions causing power outages and impassable roadways. Emergency response, utilities and public works crews have been dealing with impossible conditions and the weather continues to make recovery challenging as a new storm hits the region.
The New York State Office of Emergency Management is coordinating mutual aid deployments from various counties and municipalities across the state to assist with snow removal operations in the City of Buffalo, where many locations have been inaccessible and without power since the early stages of the storm. Loaders and dump trucks with operators have been requested to assist local and Erie County crews to cut paths through unplowed streets to open access for utility restoration crews and emergency service providers.
Dutchess County Public Works is responding with eight crew members and multiple equipment including front end loader and dump trucks. The crew departed Poughkeepsie this morning and will begin work tomorrow morning, gathering with other crews from around the state at SUNY’s Buffalo State College. The team will be there through the end of the week and will travel back to Dutchess County on Saturday.
Medical Examiner/coroner staff have also been overwhelmed in the City of Buffalo and Erie County, resulting in requests for assistance with morgue and medical examiner services. Dutchess County Medical Examiners’ Office is currently coordinating assistance response.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Our neighbors in Erie County and other areas of western New York are dealing with overwhelming conditions as a result of these historic weather conditions. Lives have been lost and their residents are in need, so we are answering the call. Neighbors help neighbors... we are all New Yorkers, and we help one another, it is what we do. Thank you to our county teams who are always willing to pitch in to help. Travel safely and be careful. We are grateful for all you do, but today you are going above and beyond and it is appreciated.”
