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Westchester Waits For Presidential Emergency Declaration

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - County Executive Robert Astorino said Tuesday he expects the President to declare a State of Emergency for Westchester to help with cleanup from Hurricane Sandy.

County Executive Robert Astorino discusses Westchester's Hurricane Sandy recovery Tuesday afternoon.

County Executive Robert Astorino discusses Westchester's Hurricane Sandy recovery Tuesday afternoon.

Photo Credit: Samantha Kramer

A presidential declaration will make the county eligible for federal aid, Astorino said.

"Residents should do their part by staying off the roads, if possible, and avoiding any downed electric lines. Use common sense in all cleanup activities," he said. "The county is fully mobilized and working to get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

There were three storm-related fatalities in Westchester during Hurricane Sandy, Astorino said. Two boys were killed in North Salem and a Yonkers man was killed in an accident on the Sprain Brook Parkway.

Full power restoration could take a week, Astorino said. MTA service and buses were still closed and the roads need to be cleared. More than 500 roads throughout the county are closed. Astorino said the first step to retunring things to normal is not power restoration, but to clear off roads so power companies can get to the areas that need power safely.

The county's Emergency Operations Center was fully operational Tuesday, Astorino said, and the county continues to work with local governments and the state and utilities. 

County parks remain closed. Playland suffered substantial damage on the Boardwalk and at the Ice Casino.

Flights have been canceled at the county airport on Tuesday. Indian Point 3 was shut down as a precaution due to electrical issues off-site. The other reactor, Indian Point 2, is operating normally, Astorino said.

The county closed its Yonkers sewage plant Monday night as a pre-emptive measure. Treated sewage is going into the Hudson River as a result. Water is safe to drink, Astorino said. At this time, there is no “boil water” alert.

 

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