Speacial Update Report on Hurricane Irene and Dobbs Ferry
Date: August 27, 2011
Dear Residents,
Here is a village update on Hurricane Irene, which is expected to hit our region hard this coming evening, and through the night into Sunday.
To begin, Dobbs Ferry’s Public Safety and Emergency Response Departments have been doing an extensive amount of work over the past days and nights preparing for this severe hurricane; most recently at 10:30am this morning we sat-in with Police Chief Gelardi, Fire Chief Trezza, and Highway Manager Gary Gardiner on a conference call with the County’s Office of Emergency Management. The level of communication between County, Federal and State authorities – as well as the communication down to and between the local municipalities – is impressive. Suffice to say there is (and will be ongoing) an incredible amount of effort at all levels in preparation and cooperation to the potential impacts (and aftermath) of this huge storm.
As far as Dobbs Ferry is concerned, here is the current situation and things you should be aware:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect. Forecasters expect the storm to hit our region later this evening (Saturday 27th) and continue through Sunday (28th) afternoon; dangerous sustained high winds are expected over this 24 hour period. There is also a severe Flood Watch in effect.
Dobbs Ferry’s Emergency Operations Center will commence at 8PM this evening. This will be coordinated from Police Headquarters in Village Hall. Beginning at 8PM, the Police, Fire, and Emergency Teams will be on High Alert.
Numbers to Call:
-For the Dobbs Ferry Police, call 653-5500.
-For an Emergency, dial ‘911’ immediately.
-For Power Outages, call Con Edison at 1-800-75CONED (800-752-6633).
-For information at the Westchester County level dial ‘211’
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND ADVICE
DO NOT DRIVE OR GO OUTSIDE
As winds are expected to be sustained over 60MPH, it will not be possible during the peak hours of the storm to send-out officers responding to people who get stuck or immobilized trying to drive around in this storm. The County has advised the Bronx River Parkway will be closed at 6PM, and all Bee Line Bus Service will also be suspended from that time and through Sunday. We anticipate that most major parkways and bridges in the region are going to be closed starting tonight. DO NOT DRIVE
DO NOT APPROACH DOWNED LINES OR CROSS ROAD BLOCKADES
While Con Edison has informed that almost 2000 employees are on call tonight and another 400 are expected to arrive from other regions by Monday; they have also noted that because emergency work is not possible during sustained tropical force winds. This means that wires could be exposed for periods of time; it also means that should we lose power it will likely to be over a period of days.
SECURE OR BRING IN ALL OUTDOOR ITEMS
One of the most dangerous issues is the high sustained winds and the objects that will be blowing around. Please make sure to secure or bring inside ALL OUTDOOR ITEMS including:
-Chairs and Tables
- Flower Pots
-Flags and Poles
-Gas Grills (and propane tanks)
-Backstops
… and/or anything else you see on your property that has the potential to get blown away.
AVOID USING CANDLES
This comes directly from the Fire and Police Departments. If the lights go out it is much better and SAFER to use flashlights and LED devises – avoid using candles.
WATERFRONT PARKING LOT TO BE CLOSED
As previously announced in the last update message … at some point this afternoon the Police and DPW/Highway departments will be closing (barricade) the waterfront parking lot. This is because a significant tidal storm surge is expected, and with it the potential that most of the lot will be underwater. If you have a car in the lot it should be moved.
Your Police and Fire Departments have been working hard to prepare and will be on the highest state of alert as this storm approaches and through the event. We are lucky to have so many qualified and dedicated professionals and volunteers who help to keep us all safe.
But also PLEASE remember … This is going to be a very dangerous storm, and there will be a period of time over the peak hours of this storm that officers and crews will not be able to go outside because it will be too dangerous.
This will be our last local update and report before Irene arrives.
Keep yourself and your family safe – and our officers and crews – by staying inside and off the roads.
Sincerely,
Mayor Connett
