Cuomo Declares State Of Emergency For Dutchess

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo declared Friday a state of emergency for Dutchess, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Essex, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Saratoga and Warren counties as heavy rains and high winds have caused flooding and power outages throughout most of the state. This extreme weather has caused nearly 60 roads closures across the state and has left more than 241,000 buildings or homes without power.

The governor is deploying 200 members of the National Guard to assist localities with response and clean-up operations. The soldiers and airmen will be deployed over the next 24 hours and will be equipped with bobcats, dump trucks and front-end loaders to assist with clearing debris.

Cuomo also activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Albany to Level Four status and directing state agencies to continue deploying emergency response personnel equipment and personnel — most of which are already in the field. New Yorkers are advised to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary. Motorists should travel with extra caution as multiple roads are closed and floodwaters may make driving difficult throughout the day.

"Overnight a severe storm hit the state, bringing with it high wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and heavy rain that caused flash flooding and widespread power outages," Cuomo said. "This morning we did a swift water rescue in Herkimer County where a home was in danger of being swept away, taking five people out of the home including an infant. I am deploying 200 members of the National Guard to impacted areas to assist with response operations. These situations can be a matter of life and death, and I am urging all New Yorkers to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary."

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said the county has been in regular contact with the state in the wake of the storm. He said the number of NYSEG and Central Hudson customers without power as of early afternoon was about 12,000.

Molinaro said most of the roads that were closed have been reopened, but the county is still in the process of completing the cleanup.