Monticello, NY – Due to the ongoing impacts of yesterday’s severe thunderstorms, Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek has extended the State of Emergency for parts of Sullivan County through 5 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, May 17, 2018.
A State of Emergency is issued under Article 2B of New York State Executive Law and in this case applies to the townships of Bethel, Cochecton, Forestburgh, Highland, Lumberland and Tusten. Note that the declaration applies to the entirety of the Town of Bethel (expanding beyond Smallwood) but after 5 p.m. tonight will no longer include the towns of Mamakating or Thompson, based on conversations with those towns’ supervisors.
The declaration was extended because of the ongoing challenges of blocked roads, significant power outages (some of which could last for several days) and widespread downed trees.
“In speaking with the involved town supervisors and in traveling to the hardest-hit areas to view the damage firsthand, it is evident that we have a major cleanup and power restoration effort on our hands once again,” said Potosek. “So I have extended the State of Emergency in these parts of Sullivan County to ensure the safety of County residents. There are no travel restrictions associated with this declaration, but I urge people to use caution and refrain from unnecessary travel.”
County offices remain open, as does the County’s Emergency Operations Center, which was activated yesterday. The Center is coordinating efforts to restore electricity, reopen roads, clean up debris, and distribute dry ice and water from NYSEG and Orange & Rockland Utilities.
Dry ice/water distribution times and locations are being determined. That information, plus other storm-related updates, will be posted on the Sullivan County website, www.co.sullivan.ny.us, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/sullivancountygov, along with local media.
