State of emergency lifted

GOSHEN — Orange County at 7 a.m. on Tuesday lifted the state of emergency it declared yesterday in response to Winter Storm Juno.

The region dodged a blizzard that had been predicted for the area but ended up veering 50 miles eastward off the coast of Suffolk County, Connecticut and New England.

The National Weather Services recorded snowfall totals of approximately four inches in Harriman on Tuesday.

County Executive Steve Neuhaus, who had banned travel on all county roadways overnight, eased those restrictions by morning after it was apparent that the storm had largely missed the county.

County offices remained closed on Tuesday and non-essential staff are not required to report for work.

County offices reopened on Wednesday.

Orange County parks remained open throughout the winter weather.

Forecasts kept changing over the weekend and on Monday, with estimates of up to two feet of snow predicted for the local area. Expectations of an "historic storm" led the governor to shut down travel on highways and interstates like I-84. But the storm dumped most of its snow in New England, which got 20 and more inches in some spots.

On Monday, Neuhaus urged residents to stay home, avoid unnecessary travel, and check in on their neighbors, particularly the sick and elderly, as the blizzard worked its way through the region.

State Police Captain Brendan Casey, who supervises state police in 11 facilities as Zone Commander for Troop F Zone 2, said the region was largely accident free due to warnings and a ban on travel later Monday night.

"Most people heeded the advice to stay home," he said. "It was pretty uneventful."

National Weather Service lead meteorologist Ross Dickman, who operates out of Long Island, said the storm turned out to be "more compact" than anticipated. The low pressure system pushed the storm 50 miles to the East of where it had been predicted. Suffolk County saw approximately two feet of snow and LaGuardia Airport received one foot of snow.

EARLY DISMISSALS
Schools throughout the area let out early on Monday afternoon and remained closed Tuesday.

Neuhaus encouraged residents to dial 211 for all non-emergency calls. Road conditions on state roads are available by dialing 511.

The Red Cross recommends that families keep a three-day supply kit, Neuhaus said.