Town of Olive declares state of emergency; makes hotline; designates shelters

At 5pm today, Olive Town Supervisor Berndt J. Leifeld declared a state of emergency for the Ulster County town and urged residents in flood-prone areas to consider evacuating to higher ground if they feel threatened. Leifeld wrote that the Supervisor's Office will be open on Monday morning at 8am with information for residents at (845) 657-8118 x 4.

Shelters for the town of Olive are:

  • Olivebridge Fire House, at the corner of Mill and Rt. 213  - 845-657-3311) 
  • Reservoir Methodist Church at 3056 Rt. 28 in Shokan - 845-657-2326)

Read the entire press release below: 

The Town of Olive at 5pm today declared a State of Emergency for the entire municipality.

The Town has declared a State of Emergency due to possible threats from Hurricane Sandy. Residents in flood-prone areas are asked to be on alert and, if feeling threatened, should try to evacuate to higher ground. The Town is advising residents that the Olive Bridge Fire House 657-3311 (corner of Mill and Rt. 213) and the Reservoir Methodist Church at 3056 Rt. 28 in Shokan (845) 657-2326 are designated shelters in cases of evacuation, places to receive food, water or ongoing shelter. Emergency information and supplies will be available at your local firehouse beginning Monday.

Olive is expecting high wind gusts up to 70 mph starting Sunday evening through the night into Tuesday October 30. High winds may cause downed trees and power lines due to already saturated soil conditions. We are also anticipating rain beginning late overnight and becoming heavier throughout the day on Monday until afternoon on Tuesday when rains are expected to continue.

Residents are asked to stock up on supplies (water, food, medical supplies, flashlights, batteries and fuel (vehicles and home) as best they can prior to the event.

Information will be posted at your firehouse as well as on the Town website: town.olive.ny.us, the radio and YNN, The Watershed Post, often for updates. Starting Monday morning (8am) residents can call the Supervisor’s Office at (845) 657-8118 x 4 for more information.

Berndt J. Leifeld
Supervisor
Town of Olive