Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts declared Bedford to be in a state of emergency at noon on Monday, urging locals to stay home and keep the roads clear for the town's highway workers and emergency peronnel.
In addition, the Bedford Hills Fire Department was designated as an emergency shelter—a change in location from the Bedford Hills Community House, where the town has sheltered residents in need in the past.
"Residents need to be self-sufficient for the next 48 hours," said Bedford Police Chief William Hayes, in an email alert.
Local fire departments are open as warming centers and daytime shelters. Police are encouraging those who need it to find shelter with friends and neighbors and to contact the Bedford Police Department at 241-3111 as a last resort.
"Storms of the magnitude place tremendous strain on local emergency resources. For this reason, residents are urged to use sound judgment in calling emergency services for non-essential issues during the height of the storm," said Hayes.
Click on the Bedford-Katonah Patch Storm Hub for more on power outages and resources and information.
The town's highway crews are out en masse and in for a long night ahead, Kevin Winn, Bedford's highway commissioner, said Monday morning.
He's hoping NYSEG will designate a line crew to work specifically with highway workers now and in the storm's aftermath.
"If we have NYSEG personnel with us that can let us know power is off in the lines we can clear debris and trees much more quickly," he said. Once the power companies determine lines are safe to handle, the town can clear roads and power crews can work to restore services.
As of Monday morning, NYSEG officials said they would wait to assess the severity of the storm before directing a designated road crew for the highway department.
Businesses in town that are open as of 11 a.m.
The Katonah A&P - expects to be open until 9 p.m.
The Blue Dolphin
Sgaglio's
The A & P in Bedford Village
Mrs. Green's
The Finer Winer - expects to close by 1 p.m.
MeMe's Treats in Bedford Hills
Chase Bank in Katonah
Katonah Wine and Liquor
The Katonah Restaurant - until power goes out
Wm. & Nicholas - until power goes out
Feel free to add any businesses that are open in the comments.
