Clarkstown Still Reeling From 24,000 Outages and 67 Local Roads Closed

Here is the latest O&R Post 

Lights are slowly coming back on in Clarkstown, however not soon enough for the 24,000 Orange & Rockland customers still without service in the town. Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack released an update on the town’s recovery from Hurricane Sandy and a Halloween advisory.

The Town of Clarkstown urges parents to refrain from Halloween Trick or Treating.  There are many town roads closed due to downed trees and wires.  Children need to be told not to touch downed lines, stay far away from them and always assume they are energized and extremely dangerous.  There are also many weakened trees that can fall at any time.     

As of late Wednesday afternoon approximately 67 local roads remained closed in Clarkstown and 27 were partially closed due to downed wires. The highway department continues to clear downed trees.  There are no travel restrictions in effect but Gromack asked residents to limit their travel. 

The time estimate for restoration of power is still in the seven to 10 day timeframe. O&R’s reported extensive damage to its distribution system specifically to 10 substations and 14 transmission lines.  Once those are restored, then the utility said more accurate restore times, Estimated Restore Times (ERT's), for specific addresses and neighborhoods will start to become available possibly over the weekend.

Residents should contact Clarkstown Police Dispatch at 845-639-5800 and Orange & Rockland at 1-877-434-4100 to report down wires and fallen trees. Do not attempt to move a wire. Telephone wires conduct a certain amount of energy, and power lines may become energized at any time, which have to be cleared by Orange & Rockland. 

Gromack requested dry ice and additional distribution centers in Rockland. Along with other elected officials, he has requested more shelter be opened in addition to the one currently at Rockland Community College.

Town services are slowly increasing with garbage pickup back on schedule today and recycling starting on Thursday, Nov 1. Mini Trans service is running on a modified schedule. Town Hall at 10 Maple Avenue is open for business.  Pascack Community Center is the only community center with power and open and will remain open until 10 p.m. All town recreation programs including senior clubs remain cancelled until further notice.

The town is still under a State of Emergency declared on Sunday,Oct. 28.