Irene Update from the White Plains Public Safety Emergency Operations Center

Though Hurricane Irene has caused flooding, power outages and street closures in various parts of the White Plains, its affect on the city haven't been disastrous.

“Everything looks good,” said Mayor Tom Roach, from the public safety department's emergency operations center. “Everyone is working together, and that says a lot about our city and the people who live and work here.”

Roach—who drove around the city Sunday morning to assess for damage and check on residents—said that in addition to some flooding, there were many downed tree branches and a few downed trees causing some street closures.

The following roads are now closed: 

• Harlem Avenue
• Holland Avenue @ Brookdale Avenue (North Broadway entrance)
• Cemetery Road (Bronx River Parkway Entrance)
• Central Westchester Extension
• Mamaroneck Avenue (Purdy Avenue entrance and Hutchinson Parkway entrance)
• Ridgeview Avenue

About five homes were evacuated on Cloverdale Avenue, where water climbed from the basement up to the kitchen in one home. Those who were evacuated all found places to stay.

The City’s emergency shelter at is fully staffed. If residents are in need of shelter, they can call the public safety’s non-emergency number at (914) 422-6111, and ask to be picked up and brought to the shelter.  According to Roach, there weren’t any residents at the shelter Sunday around 9:30 a.m.

Department of Public Works officials are out there cutting up downed trees, while public safety employees are monitoring storm conditions in the city.

“It’s looking OK, but we are still encouraging everyone to stay home,” said Roach. “People have been great, and heeded our request to keep cars off the street, making it easier for police and fire departments to respond to emergencies.”

According to the Con Edison’s website, there are 1,838 outages in White Plains that should be restored in by 11 a.m. Power outages should be reported to Con Ed at 1-800-752-6633 (1800-75CONED). If you see trees on top of power lines, call public safety’s non-emergency number at (914) 422-6111.

“Looks like we got a tree on some wires on Soundview Avenue,” said Roach. “We’re working in tandem with Con Edison to clear up any issues, we can’t work on the tree until the power is off.”

The City is asking those with non-life threatening problems to call public safety’s non-emergency number at (914) 422-6111, and to only call 911 in the event of a serious emergency.

The City is posting updated information on its website, and government access channel (75 for Cablevision, 47 for Verizon). You can also call the City’s hotline for updates at (915) 422-5150.

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