Community Corner

Storm Hub: Temperatures Swing in Yorktown, Somers

Your one-stop shop for all storm information: Weather updates, road closures, power outages, photo galleries and messages from town emergency officials.

Update, Jan. 3, 4:30 p.m.: Taking snow photos? Check out our growing gallery and add some here. Thanks to our reader who submitted the picture of the snowman that was built in Yorktown Heights.

Update, Jan. 3, 3 p.m.: Don't let the sun fool you, Westchester County residents should brace for bitterly cold temperatures throughout Friday into Saturday.

From the AccuWeather.com website:

Find out what's happening in Yorktown-Somerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Air blasting southward from eastern Canada on Friday will send temperatures down to their lowest levels since January 2009 in many locations from New England to part of the mid-Atlantic.

This includes temperatures dipping well below zero from northern Pennsylvania to the Hudson Valley of New York to southern New England, on northward into neighboring Canada. Cities that will plunge below zero Friday night include Boston, Hartford, Conn., and Scranton, Pa.

Find out what's happening in Yorktown-Somerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lows in the single digits are forecast Saturday morning from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.

Warmer temperatures will begin to return on Saturday.

Update, Jan. 3, 11:02 a.m. "Bee-Line buses and Paratransit vehicles will start service at approximately 11:30 a.m. Due to poor road conditions, passengers should anticipate some delays," according to a statement from Westchester County government.

Update, Jan. 3, 10:26 a.m.:

*Closing, delays: Yorktown Town Hall and Yorktown Justice Courts are closed today. Some local businesses – like Lorese Salon & Spa, the Somers Library and   are closed today because of the snow, while others – like Somerfields Restaurant, Tazza Cafe Somers, Club Fit, Support Connection are opening late. Visit our directory for phone numbers if you're looking to call ahead before you leave the house and make sure a business is open.

*Temperatures are frigid, with wind gusts making it feel much worse. The Metro NY Red Cross offers tips to protect against frostbite, hypothermia and, that other seasonal danger, fires. Read more here.

*Metro-North will be running on Saturday schedule for Friday. More info on trains here.

*Remember to clear your hydrant if you have one in front of your house, and also: consider the postal service. Westchester District postal officials are reminding residents to include the mailbox in their snow removal routine since carriers depend on clear access for safe and timely mail delivery. 

*Non-emergency questions? Call United Way's 2-1-1. They are ready and prepared for whatever the storm brings and are working with all Westchester emergency departments to handle possible increases in calls. 

Taking snow photos? Check out our growing gallery and add some here.

For updates, sign up for the Patch newsletter.

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Thursday:

The National Weather Service predicts "widespread blowing snow" in Yorktown and Somers, accumulating four to eight inches overnight into Friday.

Yorktown-Somers Patch will post updates to this "hub" article throughout the day with links to all separate articles published on the site and other important information you need to know.

USEFUL LINKS

UPDATES

  • Lakeland schools will be closed on Friday due to the snow storm.
  • Where are the best sledding spots in the area? Downing Park, located on Route 202 in Yorktown, is a favorite spot among locals for sledding and tubing down the hill. Other spots for sledding include the Van Cortlandtville School in Mohegan Lake and the hill at the back of the parking lot at St. Patrick's Church (the newer church).
  • The Somers Library closed at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2 due to the storm. Check their website for weather-related closings for Friday, Jan. 3. You may still place holds online, or renew items (if there are no holds) by visiting www.somerslibrary.org and clicking on the 'Manage Your Account' tab at the top right of the page. 
  • Due to the weather forecast, Club Fit in Jefferson Valley closed at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 2. They will have a delayed opening for Friday, Jan. 3 and will be tentatively opening at 9 a.m.
  • The Somers and Yorktown schools are still on winter recess, but Lakeland schools were closed Thursday. Here's what the district said on its website: "Due to dangerous driving conditions caused from icy road surfaces the Lakeland Central School District is closed Thursday, January 2, 2014. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled, including Westchester Community College classes."
  • Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES closed early on Thursday at 1 p.m. 
  • The Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake was closed on Thursday due to the snow.

From Westchester County: 

The Westchester County Health Department has released winter safety tips.

In the event of a power outage, report it directly to Con Ed or New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG). Here's the contact information:

  • ConEd power outage or gas and electrical service problems: 800-752-6633 or 800-75-CONED
  • NYSEG electricity power outage: 800-572-1131
  • NYSEG natural gas power outage: 800-572-1121
Click here for updated information and service alerts, or use Transportation QuickNews alerts, when it comes to Bee-Line buses and para-transit service. Click here to check the status of a Westchester County Airport flight. 

For non-emergency questions, call United Way's 2-1-1. The organization is working with all Westchester emergency departments to handle possible increases in calls. 

Here is some information from the US Postal Service:

Westchester District postal officials are reminding residents to include the mailbox in their snow removal routine since carriers depend on clear access for safe and timely mail delivery. 

When winter storms hit, letter carriers can be found on the front lines dealing with difficult conditions. Snow, ice, and wind gusts can be especially challenging. The Postal Service treats safety and service with equal priority and carriers will make every reasonable to deliver the mail.

For doorstep deliveries, painted porches and steps quickly grow hazardous. While salting and rubber-backed mats help, postal carriers rely on residents and business owners to clear the snow and ice. 

Residents who receive delivery to roadside mailboxes are also asked to keep the approach to, and exit from, the mailbox clear of snow, vehicles, trash cans, or other obstacles. The carrier needs to drive in, and then out, without leaving the vehicle. Ideally, the area near the mailbox should be cleared in a half-moon shape to give the carrier full visibility.

Customers with questions or comments about their mail service can call toll-free 1-800-ASK-USPS(1-800-275-8777) or send an e-mail to the Postal Service by clicking on Customer Service at the bottom of the Postal Service’s USPS.com homepage.

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