Hurricane Irene Advisory # 4

Good afternoon,
Here's the latest information:

Weather:
Tropical Storm Warning and Flood Watch in effect
Still looking for 4-8 inches of rain with up to 10 inches in the higher elevations
"Moderate to Major" flooding expected
Flash Flooding is likely. Flash flood guidance:
1-3 inches of rain in 1 hour will produce flash flooding
2-4 inches of rain in 6 hours
3-4 inches of rain in 12 hours
1-2 inches of rain in 1 hour in urban areas
Advance Hydrologic Prediction Service projects the following crests
Current level Flood stage Projected crest
Upper Esopus - Coldbrook 4.9 11 16.5
Chandler Dr 136.4 146
Lower Esopus - Mt Marion 14.55 20 23.7
Wallkill - Gardiner 3.39 13 16.6
Rondout - Rosendale 9.61 18 21
Reservoir levels - Ashokan 93.7%; Rondout 95.5%
Winds expected to be 35-50 MPH with gusts from 60-70; most severe winds will be 9 AM to 6 PM Sunday
Storm expected to be out of here by late night Sunday
Dry for recovery in the early part of next week

Power:
CHG&E rep will be in this office
Depending on extent of damage, outages may last several days or longer
In addition to CH crews, they have mutual aid from as far away as Kansas. They have an additional 30 crews, plus 40 line clearing crews, and have retained contract crews for this storm
Information on restoration times will be delayed pending a full assessment of the extent of damage
While restoration will begin on Sunday, it is anticipated that work will begin in earnest on Monday
Central Hudson will be obtaining dry ice and bottled water; distribution locations TBD based on worst damage

Other issues:
State of Emergency remains in effect for Ulster County, no specific special orders issued
Shelter locations (all opening at 8 PM tonight). Please bring pillow, blanket and personal hygiene items
SUNY New Paltz - Health & Wellness Center
Belleayre Ski Center
Benedictine Hospital Senior Residence
Wawarsing Ellenville - TBD
The law enforcement community has coordinated their efforts
The UCSO dive team will be split geographically to maximize capacity
All fire departments will have their stations manned effective 8 PM tonight for the duration of the incident
Most EMS squads are also staffing in quarters
New York State OEM reports
3,000 National Guard troops already activated, another 2,000 on Monday
31 Navy ships heading up from Virginia will be off coast of LI
104 tractor trailers of supplies enroute to state

***Special request to each town - please provide me with an on-going damage assessment via e-mail. I don't want anyone out in the dangerous part of the storm, but once conditions are safe and assessments begin to take place, please forward the information so that we can get a good handle on the extent of damage and assistance that may be needed.*** Thank you
Art