December 13, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON DECLARES STATE DISASTER EMERGENCY FOR ICE STORM
Declaration Will Expedite Assistance from Out of State Utility Crews to
Help Restore Power
Governor David A. Paterson today announced a State Disaster Emergency has been declared to expedite assistance to 16 counties and contiguous areas that sustained extensive damage in the ice storm that left hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers without electric power.
The counties affected by the disaster declaration are Albany, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Washington.
“The ice storm has caused widespread power outages, damage to homes and business, and personal hardships and continues to pose a threat to public health and safety,“ said Governor Paterson. “Significant icing has coated trees and power lines throughout the affected areas causing power outages. The order I have signed today will expedite out-of-state utility crews’ entry in the State to help turn the power on that much more quickly.”
The Governor has implemented the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, which authorizes the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) to coordinate the appropriate State agencies in assisting local governments in taking appropriate action to protect property and to assist those affected local governments and individuals in responding to and recovering from these storms. This declaration will help provide assistance to municipalities in the aftermath of the story and beyond.
As the storm entered the State Thursday evening, agencies put their respective storm operations plans into effect and hundreds of State personnel worked around the clock to ensure public safety. At the State Emergency Operations Center, which was activated on Thursday, more than a dozen State agencies continue to coordinate activities and missions requests.
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn said: “The Department of Transportation is responding quickly to restore safety and mobility to our transportation system following this significant ice storm in the Capital Region and northern Hudson Valley. Motorists should keep in mind that dark traffic signals should be treated as all-way stops and unnecessary travel should be avoided during periods of inclement weather. The department is working hard to make sure highways are safe if you must travel.“
NYSDOT is coordinating resources statewide, and has committed 1,200 staff members and 950 pieces of heavy equipment, including dump trucks, chippers and log loaders, to the storm response. A winter travel advisory system is featured at www.511ny.org, which provides snow and ice conditions for many of New York State’s most traveled roads, directly from NYSDOT’s maintenance operators.
State Emergency Management Office Director John R. Gibb said: “Residents should think about safety first. If you see downed power lines, don’t touch them. Assume they are live and report the location of the line to your utility. If you are without power, use a flashlight to provide light in your residence. Never use candles because we’ve learned from past outages that the improper use of candles is the cause of many residential fires. If you choose to run a generator to provide power to your home, only run the generator outdoors to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas.“
The Red Cross and local communities have set up warming stations across the region. Residents can contact their utility or the Public Service Commission (PSC) hotline at 1-800-342-3355, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
More winter safety information is available at www.semo.state.ny.us, www.nyalert.gov and www.nyhealth.gov/publications/7064 .
