County: Dry Ice Still Available, Gas Situation Improving

The Putnam County Emergency Management team sent several messages via NY-Alert (the state's online communication system), Saturday morning. Here are some important notes:

GAS/OUTAGES

• Putnam County officials are aware of the long lines for gasoline and rumors of a gas shortage. The lines are a result of the reported lack of fuel deliveries and availablity due to power outages at gas stations. As people fuel up their automobiles and containers for generators to power their homes, motorists from other storm-affected states are also coming here to Putnam County as a result of widespread power outages in their community. County Officials have been working with Federal and State Emergency Operations personnel to ensure that we are aware of any real issues regarding gasoline supplies. 
• ...Gasoline deliveries are increasing in frequency and as more power is restored to Putnam County and surrounding areas, the gas lines will go back to normal. The new equation becomes more electricity equals less demand for gas so the improvement in power outages are good news. They are as follows:

Location Oct. 31 Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 3 Village of Brewster 80% 11 .17 2 Carmel 89 59 57 36 Kent 100 50 42 33 Patterson 93 43 22 1 Putnam Valley 100 87 59 53 Southeast 56 37 22 13 Philipstown 20 10 1 .26

DRY ICE (as of about 10:15 a.m.)

• Village of Brewster and the Town of Southeast, in conjunction with United Cerebral Palsy, is presently distributing dry ice at 15 Mt. Ebo (Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association) in Southeast.
• Town of Carmel is distributing dry ice and water at the Carmel Town Hall (60 McAlpin Avenue in Mahopac) beginning at 1 p.m., while supplies last.
• Town of Kent is distributing dry ice and water at the Kent Police Department (40 Sybils Crossing in Kent) from 10:45 a.m till 3 p.m.
• Town of Patterson is distributing dry ice and water at the Patterson Recreation Center (65 Front Street in Patterson) from 10 a.m. while supplies last. Please note supplies are limited.

PRICE GOUGING (story available here)

• Putnam County officials advise that price gouging is illegal and will not allow retailers to take advantage of our taxpayers during this crisis.
• If you are the victim of or witness price gouging practices by any type of retailer, including gasoline stations, please contact the Putnam County Department of Consumer Affairs at (845) 808-1617 or go directly to the website here.
• Putnam County Government will be compiling as much information as possible regarding Putnam County retailers who engage in this outrageous practice. This list will be then forwarded to the New York State attorney general's office for further review and prosecution.

HELPLINE

• New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announces a new helpline to aid residents and business on how to apply for financial help after the storm. The telephone number is 1-855-NYS-SANDY. DHSES website is www.dhses.ny.gov.
• NY-ALERT website is www.nyalert.gov.