The National Weather Service and Central Hudson Gas & Electric are warning residents to prepare for a powerful storm that could bring damaging winds and heavy rain tonight and tomorrow.
Wind advisories, flood watches, and some winter weather advisories and wind chill advisories have been posted across the Hudson Valley (see full list of weather alerts below).
Central Hudson cautions the storm could topple trees and tree limbs onto power lines. Not just Central Hudson crews will be working in the field during the storm. Nearly 100 additional mutual aid line workers have been called in.
“Be prepared for another big bill next month,” quipped customer Joe Nolan. Central Hudson has been plagued by state investigations and a large outpouring of public complaints over their questionable billing practices (story here).
During the back end of the storm tomorrow night, a strong cold front is expected to bring temperatures down significantly. National Weather Service forecasters indicate this could turn into a flash freeze of any standing water on trees or surfaces.
Central Hudson reminds residents to never attempt heating their homes with a gas grill, outdoor heating appliance or stove. Generators should not be turned on in any enclosed space, including a garage or basement. These unsafe practices can cause fires and potentially lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.
In addition, Central Hudson urges the public to stay at least 30 feet away from fallen power lines and any objects they contact. Power lines may be entangled and hidden in fallen trees or limbs. Downed lines may be live.
Realtime weather conditions (including current wind gusts and rainfall totals), live weather alerts, radar, and much more can be seen on The Newburgh News Weather Page here.
The National Weather Service has issued numerous alerts for several local counties:
Orange County:
- Wind Advisory in effect from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Friday, December 23, 2022. Sustained southwest winds of 15-25 mph could gust to 45-50 mph. Wind Advisories have been posted for all counties throughout the region.
Sullivan County:
- Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 8:00pm tonight. Snow accumulations up to 2″ plus a light glaze of ice are possible.
- Wind Advisory in effect from 10:00pm tonight until 5:00pm Friday. Sustained south winds of 15-25 mph could gust to 50 mph.
- Flood Watch in effect from late tonight through Friday evening. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.
- A Wind Chill Advisory in effect from 5:00pm on Friday through 12:00pm on Saturday. Wind chills as low as -25°F are expected.
Western Ulster County:
- Winter Weather Advisory in effect until midnight tonight. Snow accumulations up to 4″ plus a light glaze of ice are possible. Snow is expected to gradually change to plain rain after midnight.
- Wind Advisory in effect from 10:00pm tonight until 6:00pm Friday. Sustained southeast winds of 15-25 mph could gust to 55 mph.
- Flood Watch in effect from late tonight through Saturday morning. Moderate to heavy rain combined with snowmelt is expected to lead to minor to moderate flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers. Local urbanized and poor drainage flooding is also possible late tonight and Friday due to a combination of rainfall and snowmelt.
Eastern Ulster County:
- Wind Advisory in effect from 10:00pm tonight until 6:00pm Friday. Sustained southeast winds of 15-25 mph could gust to 50 mph.
- Flood Watch in effect from late tonight through Saturday morning. Moderate to heavy rain combined with snowmelt is expected to lead to minor to moderate flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers. Local urbanized and poor drainage flooding is also possible late tonight and Friday due to a combination of rainfall and snowmelt.
Dutchess County:
- Wind Advisory in effect from 10:00pm tonight until 6:00pm Friday. Sustained southeast winds of 15-25 mph could gust to 55 mph.
- Flood Watch in effect from late tonight through Saturday morning. Moderate to heavy rain combined with snowmelt is expected to lead to minor to moderate flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers. Local urbanized and poor drainage flooding is also possible late tonight and Friday due to a combination of rainfall and snowmelt.
Rockland County:
- Wind Advisory in effect from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Friday, December 23, 2022. Sustained southwest winds of 15-25 mph could gust to 45-50 mph. Wind Advisories have been posted for all counties throughout the region.
