State Declares Emergency Over Storm Storm Updates & Resources

Cold Spring prepares for riverfront flooding Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday (Sept. 25) declared a state of emergency for Westchester County, New York City and Long Island ahead of a nor'easter expected to hit over the weekend, although the forecast is less severe for the Highlands. The state cautioned residents, especially in shoreline and low-lying coastal communities, to take precautions because of expected high winds, dangerous surf and flooding. The worst impacts are expected overnight Friday through Sunday morning. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory on Friday for Putnam County that will continue through 2 p.m. Sunday. It expects the worst local flooding at high tide on Saturday morning. The local forecast for Saturday is mostly cloudy with a steady temperature of about 56 degrees. It will be breezy, with a north wind of 18 to 20 mph and gusts up to 34 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent, mostly after 8 a.m. in Philipstown and after 11 a.m. in Beacon. On Sunday, the chance of precipitation is 90 percent, with a northeast wind of 17 to 22 mph. The chance of precipitation for Monday is also 90 percent. Cold Spring officials said their chief concern is along the riverfront, as a full moon increases the likelihood that the Hudson will breach its banks. The village restricted parking on Market Street throughout the weekend to provide an alternate evacuation route if West Street floods and said residents should be prepared for road closures in the lower village. Sandbagging material is available for village residents at the rear of the Fair Street municipal lot, next to the Riverview Restaurant. In the upper village, pumps are set up on Main Street and the tightest pinch points have been cleared along Back Brook, it said. Hudson Valley Shakespeare canceled its Saturday shows of Les Misérables and said it would announce the fate of the 5 p.m. Sunday show by noon that day. The two performances are the final ones scheduled for the 2026 season at the Philipstown venue. The annual Spirit of Beacon Day, scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed to Oct. 4. The Kids' Fishing Derby scheduled for Saturday morning at the Garrison Fish & Game Club has been postponed. Organizers of other events that have been canceled or delayed can email [email protected] to have updates placed on The Current's digital calendar. The state said coastal flooding is its primary concern; the worst flooding is expected during high tide along the south shore of Long Island, as well as parts of lower New York Harbor and coastal areas of the Bronx, Westchester and northern Nassau County along the Long Island Sound. Waves could reach 22 feet along eastern Long Island, with up to 60 mph wind gusts. The state said 5,675 workers are ready statewide to respond, including 175 overhead contractors hired by Con Edison and "cut-and-toss" crews to clear debris.