This just in from Art Snyder of Ulster County Emergency Communications/Emergency Management:
Current wind speed of the storm is 90+ MPH. The winds we expect are still 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 (add 10 MPH for elevation). Timing of the heaviest winds are 4 PM to 2 AM.
Rainfall totals are still expected to be in the 3″ range. Heaviest rains tonight into tomorrow.
Any flash flooding will be localized. However, Hudson River tidal influenced flooding is a major concern.
All DEP diversions have been shut down.
Public Works employees will be working until nightfall, returning at first light. Trying to cut trees with potentially live wires in the dark is too dangerous. This is a primary reason to remain off the roads except for absolutely necessary travel.
Central Hudson has pulled in 62 mutual aid crews for a total of 299 total line crews; additionally, they have 42 tree trimming crews on retainer.
CHG&E employees will also be pulling crews off the road when conditions are unsafe. They will be re-deployed when conditions are safe for them to work.They will respond to emergencies. CHG&E has also secured 110,000 pounds of dry ice.
There is a state staging area at Belleayre Mtn.
In addition to Ulster County, Towns under a state of emergency include Shandaken, Marlboro, Olive, Gardiner, Lloyd, Denning, Woodstock, Saugerties (Town and Village) Rochester, Plattekill,
Shelters are in place at Trudy Farber in Ellenville, Midtown Center in Kingston, Belleayre in Shandaken, Saugerties Sr Center, SUNY New Paltz Wellness Center, Rosendale Rec Center, Olivebridge firehouse, all three town of Rochester firehouses and Kerhonkson Accord Rescue Building.