As the sodden ground tries to absorb the flood waters, we are all trying to absorb the impact of Irene on New Paltz.
I've spoken with many people and some public officials about the state of affairs right now and their impressions of same. This is, without a doubt, the worst situation New Paltz has faced in well over a generation.
I don't have time to compile what I've learned quite yet, so only two quick time-sensitive items:
South Oakwood has a short closure due to a tree falling on a power line.
The nursing home on Jansen Road had its entrance bridge completely destroyed . . . again. No vehicle access unless they've finished patching together a temporary solution.
Student Union Building basement, van den Berg Hall, and Haggerty Administration Building are closed. Employees who report to these locations are asked to contact their supervisors for instruction regarding work location.
All other offices are open, but have limited functionality.
via Town Supervisor Toni Hokanson: Travel ban lifted with a few exceptions. Do NOT drive around barricades, even if you do not see water. Some roads are compromised and some are not yet evaluated. Mandatory evacuations are being lifted on a case by case basis. Recreational use of the Wallkill River is prohibited.
Many of our local farms are located adjacent the Wallkill River, and were hit hard by the recent flooding. Reports from Huguenot Street Farm, farms on Springtown Road, and Taliaferro Farm indicate major losses.
Here's a video documenting the damage to Taliaferro Farms on Plains Road.
Dry ice will be available at 3pm from Central Hudson on Rt 9w in Lake Katrine (by the old Mirons) and in Poughkeepsie at Home Depot on Rt 9 opposite Marist Collehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifge.
The missing rafters were found early this morning.
SUNY New Paltz - Hasbrouck Dining hall is stocked and serving continuously until 8 p.m. today. Student Union food service venues are closed. The Athletic and Wellness Center will be open from 2 to 10 p.m. The Health Center and Psychological Counseling Center are open and operating on normal hours.
This morning my Facebook feed was full of damage reports, relief, and frustration about the Irene effect on New Paltz. They included:
Confusion over the New Paltz curfew by citizens, and anecdotal suggestions of confusion by law enforcement as well
Reports about where dry ice is available to people without power
Videos of flooding
Strong defensive reactions by emergency personnel, suggesting to me that people have been giving some of them crap over the above-referenced curfew
Pictures of downed trees
Lamentations about not having power
A lot went on yesterday. Our officials made tough decisions with variable amounts of information. Reports about actual conditions were contradictory and probably sometimes accurate. Information about the curfew was also inconsistent.
I hope to be speaking to Michael Zierler, who assumed the role of public information officer of the town and village during Irene, about the response and how well information was disseminated, and to get a more accurate picture of what actually did happen.
From what I know and believe at this point, emergency services did an excellent job, but communication was, as always, a challenge.
Please feel free to comment on your Irene experience - I'm curious how New Paltzians have weathered this storm.
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