Essex Co. declares State of Emergency ahead of storm

ELIZABETHTOWN | Essex County has issued a State of Emergency starting at 7 p.m. Sunday as icy conditions move into the North Country. The county will be closed to non-essential personnel Monday, Dec. 29, officials said shortly before issuing the formal declaration. The Essex County Government Center, including the County Clerk's Office and DMV, will be closed Monday with regular business resuming Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued an ice storm warning for the region, now including Warren County, with significant icing expected. Total ice accumulations between four and seven-tenths of an inch were expected with winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Accumulations could cause downed power lines and trees, with travel nearly impossible in some areas. Heaviest ice accumulations are expected between midnight and 10 a.m. with temperatures quickly falling behind freezing with gusty winds Monday afternoon and evening. The Town of Moriah was one of many bracing for the potential impacts Sunday evening and officials said, "Due to the incoming weather, along with the county being under a state of emergency as of 7 p.m. this evening, the town offices will be closed tomorrow. Please stay safe and give the highway crews time to sand and salt the roads. If needed, we will open a shelter for prolonged power outages." Alerts also went out Sunday night that the Senior Bus in Ticonderoga will not be operating Monday due to the expected weather. Following the expanded impact area, Warren County announced that county facilities there would delay opening until 10 a.m. Monday. Clinton Community College modified its schedule for its 6th Annual Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament ahead of the storm, as the tournament was set to begin Monday with teams from Boquet Valley, Saranac, Willsboro, Malone, Plattsburgh and Beekmantown. The tournament will now take place on Tuesday, Dec. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 3. Clinton County Emergency Services said the freezing rain could bring slick driving conditions and most certainly slippery, untreated surfaces like sidewalks. "If conditions are poor, plan to stay home tomorrow until conditions improve: Best advice is to avoid travel if possible. If you do have to go out slow down and make smooth moves: reduce speed significantly, brake gently, accelerate slowly, and avoid sudden turns," officials cautioned. Bridges, overpasses and untreated areas such as sidewalks could be especially dangerous. Residents and drivers are being reminded to stay away from downed power lines and report any outages to utility companies, not 911. Both NYSEG and National Grid issued cautionary alerts Sunday as they readied for potential outages and disruptions.

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Essex Co. declares State of Emergency ahead of storm

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