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The Dutchess County Emergency Operation Center continues to monitor the storm and provide resources as needed. County Executive Marc Molinaro issued an updated State of Emergency Executive Order at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The order prohibiting travel on all county roadways will end at 4 a.m. Wednesday, March 15.
However, the State of Emergency will remain in effect through 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, including the order prohibiting parking on all public roads in Dutchess County in order to ensure effective snow removal efforts.
With all Dutchess County resources deployed for snow removal on county roadways throughout the night to ensure roads are passable in the morning, Dutchess County Government offices and facilities, including courts, parks and senior friendship centers, will remain closed on Wednesday, March 15, with only essential county personnel reporting. Public Works crews normally deployed to clearing county parking lots, entry ways, sidewalks and other entry points to county facilities have been diverted to clearing roadways, making county facilities inaccessible.
Dutchess County Public Transit will be operating regular route bus service Wednesday, however users should expect service delays. Dial-A-Ride and Flex service, however, is canceled for Wednesday, March 15.
The parking ban on all public roads in Dutchess County will also continue throughout the day tomorrow, Wednesday, March 15 until 4 p.m. The ban is to ensure effective snow removal efforts. Local municipalities have the authority to move any vehicle parked on a public roadway that inhibits snow removal. The state of emergency order is issued pursuant to Section 24 of New York State Executive Law. It is enforceable by local, county and state law enforcement agencies.
Although the travel ban will be lifted at midnight, snow removal operations will continue well into tomorrow and road conditions will be less than optimal, with many secondary roads in poor condition due to wind gusts and snow drafts.
High snow mounds will impact visibility particularly at road intersections. Motorist should be aware of pedestrians on roadways due to impassable sidewalks. Travel should continue to be avoided if possible to allow for crews to address conditions. If you must travel, please use extra caution and leave plenty of travel time. The following are some safe winter driving tips to keep in mind:
Total accumulation expectations have been increased by the National Weather Service for Dutchess County, which will range from 18 to 29 inches. For an update on snow totals, click here.
Snow is expected to diminish Tuesday evening between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., although some light snow will linger into the day on Wednesday, especially across higher elevations.
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