Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today began assessing damage from the unseasonable snowstorm that hit Westchester County yesterday, as the cleanup effort got underway.
This morning the county executive has been in communication with the county’s municipalities to determine what resources are needed to assist in the storm’s cleanup. At this stage, the situation remains precarious, and Astorino advised the public to use caution as we dry out. He urged residents not to go near downed power lines or overexert themselves shoveling the heavy, wet snow.
“We’re working in systematic stages to get the county back to normal as quickly as possible,” said Astorino. “In order to restore power, trees and other debris needs to be cleared so the streets can be plowed, and then once the roads are clear, crews can begin working on the lines. The good news is that it’s a warm day and we’re not fighting the elements. I urge everyone to use caution and common sense when digging out.”
Across the county, approximately 70,000 ConEd and 29,800 NYSEG customers are currently without power. The county has been in contact with both utilities and has been assured that they are working rapidly to make restorations. As of noon today, there have been no official estimates on when restorations would be completed. Astorino advised residents to report any outages or downed lines to their respective company. The top priority has been to restore electricity to two nursing homes in the Purdys section of North Salem. Approximately 600 residents in the Waterview and Salem Hills facilities are without power.
There are numerous issues on the roadways due to downed trees and icy conditions. Part of the Bronx River Parkway is closed in both directions from the Sprain Brook Parkway to Scarsdale Road, in addition to closures at Crane Road and the northbound lanes south of Elm Street. The Hutchinson River Parkway is partially closed on the ramp to the Cross County Parkway westbound. The Beeline buses and Paratransit systems are operating on or close to schedule, with scattered detours.
For residents without power, the following shelters have been opened:
- Bedford at the Bedford Community Center
- Yorktown: Copper Beach Middle School
- Croton: Heating Comfort Station is open in the Municipal Building, 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton
For more information, residents may call 2-1-1 for non-emergencies and also stay updated online.