Governor Hochul Deploys Additional Resources to Ulster County as Severe Winter Storm Continues to Impact Areas in Mid-Hudson with Heavy Ice and Snow

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced additional resources to support Ulster County as a severe winter storm continues to affect the Mid-Hudson Region with heavy ice and snow. At Governor Hochul’s direction, 24 members of the National Guard were deployed today to support Ulster County with its recovery and 24/7 warming center operations. New York State also deployed tree cutting crews to impacted areas and is working with the Red Cross to provide cots, blankets, food, and water to support warming shelters in Ulster County. Since yesterday, the Mid-Hudson Region has received up to a half inch of ice and sleet, shutting down roadways and causing tens of thousands of power outages.

“Ulster County has received the brunt of this winter storm’s severe effects in the form of heavy ice and snow accumulation that crippled roadways and cut power to tens of thousands of residents in the Mid-Hudson Region,” said Governor Hochul. “At my direction, the National Guard has deployed 24 members to assist Ulster County with its recovery and cleanup operations, as well as to support 24/7 warming centers set up by the county. In addition, the state will deploy additional assets to support recovery operations for as long as is needed.”

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “We will continue to coordinate the state’s response on the ground in Ulster County and across the region to help communities respond during this ongoing event. Multiple warming centers have opened and I encourage residents in Ulster who have lost power and are without heat to seek shelter and warmth. We are here to help our fellow New Yorkers and will assist Ulster County until power is restored and residents have what they need.”

Ulster County has set up four 24/7 warming centers at the following locations until further notice:

• Andy Murphy Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401
• 2nda Iglesia La Mision Church, 80 Elmendorf St, Kingston NY 12401
• SUNY New Paltz, Elting Gymnasium, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561
• Frank D. Greco Memorial Senior Citizen Recreation Center, 207 Market St, Saugerties, NY 12477

New York State support to Ulster County in the aftermath of the severe winter storm includes 24 National Guard members to support warming center operations; cut-and-toss crews to support cleanup; one 500kw generator for the Andy Murphy overnight warming center in Kingston; and 180 cots and water for warming shelters. DHSES is also coordinating the transportation of Red Cross warming shelter resources including approximately 75 cots, as well as water and food for shelter residents.

As of Friday afternoon, there are approximately 58,000 power outages statewide, with Ulster County seeing the bulk of outages at around 48,000 customers. Central Hudson indicates that the majority of restoration of its customers will be complete by Sunday night with restoration in the hardest hit areas possible lasting into Monday morning. NYSEG expects to complete restoration for those impacted by this event by late tonight. Other utilities have either restored customers or are working to restore as power outages occur sporadically.

New York State will continue to coordinate the state’s response to the severe winter storm that has dumped more than a foot of snow in several locations from Buffalo to Plattsburgh to Albany and brought a dangerous mix of ice and sleet to areas in the Capital and Mid-Hudson Regions.

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul, Commissioner Bray, their teams and my colleagues in Ulster County for the teamwork that has gone into responding to this unprecedented winter event. I also want to especially thank our emergency personnel and first responders who are working tirelessly to clear the roads, fix the lines, and keep people safe. The resources and support being deployed to our County are critically needed and I’m committed to working with all partners as we continue to fight our way through the impacts of this storm. I urge residents to utilize the resources and warming centers established across the county if needed, and please check in on your neighbors.”

Assemblymember Kevin Cahill said, “As one of the most crippling winter ice storms in several years descended on the Hudson Valley, Governor Kathy Hochul and her emergency response team were on the scene to offer leadership and assistance to our local governments as they all worked diligently to make our communities and residents safe, warm and secure. In just a few short months, this is what we have come to expect of the Hochul Administration. On behalf of the grateful residents of our area, thank you.”

Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan said, “I would like to thank Governor Hochul and her entire team for their rapid response and critical support as we respond to one of the most severe, high-impact winter storms Ulster County has experienced in at least a decade. Working together at all levels of government, we have been able to quickly establish multiple warming centers throughout the county and surge resources to clear downed power lines and trees. We will continue working non-stop to keep our residents safe and get our county reopened as quickly as possible.”

Mayor of Kingston Steve Noble said, “Kingston has taken the brunt of this winter storm but by working cooperatively with our State, County and Kingston team, we are working to keep everyone safe and warm tonight and through the weekend. Governor Hochul’s commitment to our County and City has been steadfast during this Winter Weather Event and I know that together we will recover from this event.”