Editor's Note: THE CORTLANDT MORABITO EMERGENCY SHETLER OPENS AT 9 P.M., NOT 7 P.M.
Hurricane Irene is expected to bring the potential for flooding, damage and power outages in the Peekskill-Cortlandt area over the weekend.
Emergency Shelters
Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi said Peekskill Office of Emergency Management has also said the city is ready for the storm and created this website to keep the public updated on important city information. In both Peekskill and Cortlandt ambulance corps, highway, building maintenance and fire departments will be on call during the storm to handle emergencies and debris.
The located at 29 Westbrook Dr, Cortlandt Manor, will be established as an emergency shelter and will open at 9 p.m. Saturday. Peekskill’s located in the Richard E. Hayes Building Plaza at 4 Nelson Ave. will be established as an emergency shelter as well, but it won’t open, though, until there is a demand for it.
Important Numbers and Other Information
Town and city officials say residents should tune into WHUD 100.7FM for updates or to call the Peekskill Police Department or the Town of Cortlandt Dept. of Environmental Services to find out if shelters are open. In addition, people can watch storm notices on Government Access Channel 20.
Peekskill Police Department 914-737-8000
In Peekskill, for non-emergency conditions, such as flooding and downed trees down call: 788-0832/38
Peekskill Emergency Services: 914-737-5310
Cortlandt Department of Environmental Services: 737-0047
Westchester County Police Cortlandt Barracks: 914-788-8042
Con Ed (gas and electric): 1-800-752-6633
NYSEG electricity power outage: (800) 572-1131 (Check outages in your area.)
NYSEG natural gas power outage: (800) 572-1121
County parkways: Call the county police at (914) 864-7700 for the latest county parkway conditions
Local road conditions: Call your local police or highway department. Look up the numbers now and add them to you list.
General Precautions to Take in Town
- Put away any loose outdoor items that would become airborne in high winds.
- Tie down any items that will be left outside whenever possible.
- Get bottled water and non-perishable food, flashlights and battery operated AM/FM radio.
- Charge important electronics - Cell Phones, laptops, etc…
- If you live in a flood prone area take precautions to move items from basement/garage levels.
- Have your car ready and fueled in case you must leave your home.
FEMA provides tips to prepare for a hurricane and The Red Cross has a list of items you should have in your Hurricane Kit.
Power Situation
Con Edison is taking steps to prepare for the potential impacts of this storm. According to the company, the storm’s high winds have the potential to topple trees and power lines throughout the company’s service area.
Customers can report power interruptions or service problems as well as view service restoration information online at www.conEd.com and on their cell phones and PDAs. They may also call Con Edison at 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power.
Click here to learn more on how to report an outage: http://coned.com/videos/index.asp?ID=92c87efdff732d37c203fc77706a657b
To see a map of service disruptions, visit the Con Ed storm center:http://apps.coned.com/weboutageinfo/stormcenter/default.aspx
In the event of major flooding, the company said that it would have to wait for waters to recede before workers could even enter some facilities to begin assessing damage to equipment.
Current Storm Information
Latest forecasts are predicting that Irene will bring wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour and three to six inches of rain to New York.
The National Hurricane Center has posted hurricane warnings for Westchester County. Hurricane warnings are issued when hurricane conditions (winds in excess of 74 mph) are expected within the next 36 hours.
Peekskill and Cortlandt should start feeling some rain and storm conditions Saturday evening. Forecasters say the steady rain will begin to arrive in New York City around midnight on Saturday. When the storm hits on Sunday, winds are still forecast to be at Category 2 strength (up to 100 miles per hour).
How to Use Patch to Stay Connected and Spread the Word
Get the news. When we know about storm-related news, so will you. From important town and village announcements, damages, power outages and floods, we’ll have all the news covered 24-7. Refresh the homepage often, we move fast. But we can't be everywhere at once, and we need your help. If something happens, tell us!
Comment. If you have relevant information to add to an article, jump in and make a comment. We’ll follow up and likely add it to the article. These storm stories will continue to evolve as we speak to more officials and locals. You can be a real-time source by commenting.
Connect with the local editor. Click your local editor's name at the top of the homepage to go their profile. All their contact info is listed there. Use them. If you have tips, call, e-mail or more often text to conserve cell phone power. Elizabeth.giegerich@patch.com or 914-486-0542.
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Get the iPhone app. If the power goes out, your smartphone may end up being your only tool for getting the info on what’s going on in your community. Click here to get the Patch app for free on iTunes. Not only can you read news on it, but post photos and videos as well.
Take photos. Please, stay indoors if you plan to wait out the storm. But any photos you take of the aftermath we’d prominently display on your Patch. Email them to Elizabeth.giegerich@patch.com, upload them directly to articles or post them on our Facebook page.
