Town, county declare emergency

GOSHEN — Orange County is under a state of emergency as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the area. And Orange & Rockland Utilities warns residents it could take 7 to 10 days, or longer in some areas, to restore electrical service interruptions from large-scale hurricane damage.

The Chester town supervisor, Steven Neuhaus, urges people living in flood-prone areas to evacuate voluntarily. The ambulance corps building, located at 77 Laroe Rd., is available to the public as a temporary shelter. Food, water, cots and bathrooms will be available at that location. The ambulance corps number is 469-2721.

Chester Town Hall is closed Monday. For up-to-date information on the hurricane, Neuhaus is asking residents to monitor the town Web site at www.thetownofchester.org or call 469-7000 ext. 315.

“I urge residents to use the Town of Chester website and phone line for up to date information on Hurricane Sandy," Neuhaus said in a statement posted online. "As the storm arrives, we will be using both resources as a way to provide the latest information to our community. In addition, it is also important to make sure neighbors are safe. Do not hesitate to call 911 for emergencies.”

All schools, county offices closed

County Executive Edward Diana declared the countywide emergency at 5 p.m. on Sunday. All public and private schools in the county are closed Monday, including the SUNY Orange campuses in Middletown and Newburgh. All county buildings are closed, including all Department of Motor Vehicles offices. The county jail will not be open to visitors. And all county, city, village and town courts are closed.

The only exception will be emergency applications, which will be heard at the Emergency Services Center at 22 Wells Farm Road in Goshen.

"These actions have been taken for the safety of Orange County residents due to current weather forecasts predicting the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, with possible and unprecedented sustained and damaging winds and heavy rainfall that pose a real and immediate danger of catastrophic flooding, downed power lines, extended power outages, road closures, and the safety of potable water supplies," Diana stated in his announcement.

In a press release issued late Sunday, O&R said it has mobilized all of its personnel and resources to repair damage and restore power. More than 1,000 O&R field and administrative employees will be making repairs, joined by more than 800 additional contractor and mutual aid workers.