Putnam County Working with FEMA

The Putnam County Emergency Management team sent several messages via NY-Alert (the state's online communication system), Monday. Here are some important notes:

FEMA

• Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and her team has met with FEMA Officials today. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is the federal agency who responds to disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy. We have been working with a community liason to capture resources to assist Putnam County and its residents. Putnam County brought FEMA in to work with our municipalities and villages, as well as our residents in their cleanup or reconstruction.
• A preliminary damage assessment (PDA) will be conducted on Wednesday  for both public assistance (PA) and individual assistance (IA). At that time two teams consisting of FEMA, New York State Office of Emergency Management, Putnam County Offfice of Emergency Management and officials as needed, will review damage to each municipality.
• If you feel that you may qualify for an Individual Assistance (IA), please contact your local municipality for information about the process. IA is in place to provide relief for individual homeowners and there are strict guidelines that must be met. FEMA will also provide teams of representatives to help individuals understand the process and file paperwork. These teams are deployed at locations throughout Putnam County to be announced as they are determined.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell thanks Putnam County residents for their continued patience. We, in Putnam County, are seeing an increase in out-of-state license plates. These residents from other communities have limited or no access to gasoline in their areas and are finding no other solution than to come to Putnam County for fuel. Please remember to be patient with these motorists, as their journey is a frustrating one too.
• Though we have been hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and we have heard of many hardships within Putnam County, please note that in the region, 106 people have died and 1.4 million people still have no power. Putnam County residents have always been eager to help others.  Please remember to check in on those neighbors who are still without power and may be in need of assistance.

OUTAGES

• Officials announce that there are 3,667 Putnam County residents who remain without power as of 4:45 p.m. today. 62 percent of Putnam County residents will have power restored by 10 tonight and the 38 percent remaining will have power by 11 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 6).

REGULAR HOURS

• Putnam County Officials announce that all Putnam County Government has returned to regular business hours and operations. Also, the Emergency Operations Center remains open and staffed to further assist residents still affected by Hurricane Sandy. You may have noticed that the National Guard is in Putnam County and they are primarily here to assist NYSEG and highway road crews.
  

ROAD CLOSURES

• There were more than 200 roads closed throughout Putnam County during the storm; there are currently (as of noon Monday) two roads closed and local officials are working to have them opened as soon as possible.
• Putnam County Transit and Para-Transit has returned to a normal schedule.  If you have any questions, please contact them at (845) 878-RIDE, or visit this website.
• Please be aware that Putnam County Officials have been in contact with state and federal Officials regarding gasoline supplies. We have been notified that all supply lines are open and deliveries are returning to a normal schedule.
• To help Putnam County residents identify each gas stations supply and status, please use gasbuddy.com.
  

STRESS RELIEF

• Putnam County Officials annouce support for individuals who are feeling overwhelmed as a result of increased stress.  The following resources are available to our community:

1. Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering a stress counseling phone line at 1-800-985-5990.
2. Putnam County, in partnership with United Way, has available a crisis hotline which is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week and may be reached at (845) 225-1222.
3. Putnam Family and Community Services can be reached at (845) 225-2700.
4. Putnam Community Services at Route 22 in Brewster can be reached at (845) 278-2500.
5. Putnam Hospital Center's Emergency Room accepts walk-ins and may be reached at (845) 279-5711.

SHELTER

 The Putnam Valley Senior Center is operating as a shelter (for all Putnam County residents) beginning at 8 p.m. Monday. It is located at 117 Town Park Lane off of Oscawana Lake Road and the telephone number is (845) 808-1730.