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We hope you and your family are safe following Hurricane Sandy. Like many communities along the eastern seaboard, the Town of Yorktown has suffered extensive damage. There are hundreds of downed trees and wires and many roadways are currently closed. 100% of NYSEG customers are without power as well as thousands
of Con Edison customers as well. A State of Emergency is still in effect until rescinded. During a State of Emergency, all non essential travel on Yorktown roads is prohibited.
The members of our Department have been working long hours around the clock attempting to manage the hundreds of incidents caused by the storm. We wanted to advise residents of restoration efforts currently underway:
Task Forces
The Town Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is attempting to coordinate "Cut & Clean" task forces comprised of highway, utility and police officers who are fanning out across the Town working together to make wires safe so trees can be cleared from roadways. Due to the limited availability of utility crews and sheer number of conditions around Town, this is proving to be a challenging process. These task forces are making significant process on obstructions not involving wires, however.
Blocked "No Outlet" Roadways
Many residents have voiced understandable concern of being "blocked in" on roadways, which have no other outlet. Residents should know that live electrical lines are involved with most of the down trees blocking these and other roadways. Town highway crews cannot remove trees in these cases due to the life threatening hazard these wires present. There are virtually thousands of these types of conditions around the County making quick response by the utility companies extremely difficult.
In the event of an emergency where your roadway is blocked, rest assured that rescue workers are trained to gain access to you in challenging conditions. While response times may be extended, we will get to you as quickly as possible to render aid and make any necessary extrication from your neighborhood. The necessary notifications have been made to utility companies who have also been made aware of the "no outlet" priority.
Power Restoration
We know how frustrating being without power can be. This predicament is typically made worse absent concrete information regarding restoration time estimates. Please understand that utility companies have not provided any estimates of power restoration at this point. Please do not call our Department with power related inquiries. Our dispatch staff is already overwhelmed with storm related call volume and do no have this information.
Based on the extent of the damage in both utility service areas, residents should anticipate extensive time frames, however. Should we receive any official information after a full assessment by the utilities has been performed, we will immediately share it with you.
Dry Ice
There were two deliveries of dry ice made in the Triangle shopping center yesterday and the Town Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is attempting to coordinate additional distributions. Please monitor news outlets for announcements of any dry ice that may become available.
Shelter
A shelter has been established at the YCCC and is available to Yorktown residents as a last resort after steps such as staying with friends or family have been exhausted.
Shelter Notes
You must have a valid ID A sleeping bag or blanket and pillow are suggested Only minimal personal belongings No pets are allowed Only limited non-perishable items are permitted No firearms or other weapons
Power Outages
As a reminder, even lines that appear "dead" can be deadly! DO NOT go near down wires. If you encounter a hazardous situation requiring the immediate response of Fire or Police, do not hesitate to call 911. Please do not tax the limited resources of emergency services, however, with simple power outage reports. Instead, call your respective utility company:
NYSEG customers - 1.800.572.1131 Con Edison customers - 1-800-752-6633
Note: We often receive complaints from Town residents that the utility company arrived at their location and then "left and the power is still not on". Utility companies main objective is to make down lines safe. They will later return to restore power.
Traffic Updates
Please DO NOT call the Yorktown Police Department inquiring about road conditions. There is a State of Emergency in effect prohibiting all non essential traffic. Roadways are not safe at this point. Our dispatch staff will likely be unable to commit time to discussing road conditions.
Use of Generators
If you have a portable generator, please make sure you only use it in a well ventilated outside of your home. For more information on generator safety, click here.
Note: The use of generators outside homes during a power outage IS NOT a violation of the Town Code noise ordinance. Please do not call with noise complaints regarding generator noise.
We will be sending out periodic updates when possible. If you know another Town resident who can benefit from this distribution list, please forward this email. They may also subscribe to this list on the home page of our website www.yorktownpd.org.
Stay Safe!
Yorktown Police Department
