Crews continued to address power outages and damage caused by a severe winter ice storm that impacted northeastern Dutchess County and southern Columbia County. As of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, service was restored to approximately 10,000 customers initially impacted by the storm. Approximately 1,200 outages remain in Columbia County and 3,100 in Dutchess County.

About 170 line and tree trimming crews continue to clear roads and repair lines, including more than 40 contractor line crews and 78 tree trimming crews supplementing Central Hudson’s forces.

One of two damaged transmission lines is repaired, and repair work on the second transmission line is ongoing and expected to be completed tonight. Crews are working circuit by circuit to restore electric service in an area still impacted heavy icing.

Central Hudson expects service to be restored to a substantial majority of affected customers by Wednesday night, and anticipates crews will continue working on Thursday to address remaining outages in outlying areas.

Shelters staffed by the American Red Cross are open at the Pine Plains Community Center, located at 85 South Main Street in Pine Plains, through 6 p.m. on Wednesday; and Taconic Hills High School, County Route 11 in Claryville.

Dry ice and bottled water are available at the Pine Plains Fire Dept. on 7 Lake Road, off Route 82, until 8 p.m. tonight and beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ancram Volunteer Fire Department, located at 1306 Rt. 7 in Ancram, and the Copake Volunteer Fire Department, located at 390 Rt. 7A in Copake.

Customers are also reminded to stay clear of downed or sagging wires and check on frail or elderly neighbors, relatives or friends. Do not heat homes with unvented heaters, gas ranges or outdoor grills, as these pose a fire hazard and can give off deadly carbon monoxide gas. Similarly, generators should be operated only in a dry, vented location.

#          #            #