Orange County Declares Local State of Emergency Amid Winter Storm

County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus declared a Local State of Emergency on January 25 in response to a developing winter storm, activating special powers under Article 2-B, Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law to protect lives and property. The declaration allows county officials to temporarily modify normal operations, limit access to impacted areas, and request additional assistance from New York State.

The county's Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated since 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, with partners on-site including Central Hudson, Orange and Rockland, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and the county Emergency Operations Team. The center is scheduled to remain fully operational until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, and will stay open longer if conditions require continued coordination.

As a result of the declaration, County Government buildings are closed to the public on Monday, January 26. Affected facilities include the Orange County Government Center, the County Clerk’s office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, all courts, and the Orange County Courthouse. Most school districts across the county have announced closures for January 26; residents should check their local district websites and social media for the latest notices.

Municipalities have the option to “piggyback” on county contracts for emergency procurement needs, a move intended to speed up access to equipment, supplies, and services during the storm response. The involvement of utility providers Central Hudson and Orange and Rockland signals a focus on both power restoration and public safety, as crews stand ready to respond to outages and infrastructure impacts.

Warming center locations are posted on the Orange County Government website for residents who need shelter from the cold. The county urges those with special medical needs, seniors, and people without reliable heating to plan ahead and use available community resources. Commuters and residents should expect hazardous travel conditions and allow extra time if travel is necessary.

The declaration centralizes response efforts and gives local authorities the ability to act quickly, but it also requires community cooperation. Check school and municipal websites before heading out, follow guidance from law enforcement and public works crews, and use county resources for information on warming centers and closures.

For residents, the immediate implications are clear: several government services will be temporarily unavailable, schools are closed, and emergency teams are mobilized. The coming hours will show whether additional state assistance is needed; until then, preparedness and staying informed are the best protections for Orange County households.