Emergency Assistance and Shelters

During an emergency or natural disaster, emergency shelters play a critical role in ensuring the safety, well-being, and survival of affected individuals and communities. These shelters provide a safe haven for those displaced or at risk, offering temporary refuge, basic necessities, and essential services. They offer protection from immediate threats, such as extreme weather conditions, and help mitigate the potential impact of the disaster on vulnerable populations. Emergency shelters also facilitate coordination and support from relief agencies, enabling the efficient distribution of food, water, medical assistance, and emotional support.

For access to information pertaining to Ulster County Emergency shelters, visit the Ulster County shelter and center page. The site will be updated when a shelter or center is opened in Ulster County.

You can also visit the Red Cross Shelter Map to discover open shelters that are operated by the Red Cross or partner agencies.

Warming and Cooling Centers

Extreme cold weather events such as blizzards and ice storms are becoming more likely in the Northeast and are predicted to increase in intensity despite rising temperatures and shortened winters. Warming centers can ensure your safety and prevent exposure to dangerous and inclement weather.

Planning for extreme heat is critical for ensuring the long-term resilience of a community and reducing the number of deaths and hospitalizations that occur during high-heat events. Cooling centers are air-conditioned spaces where the public can cool down. Air-conditioned libraries, supermarkets, and malls are great places in the community to get cool. Shaded areas of local and state parks or swimming facilities like community pools and beaches are also places you can go to get cool during the summer heat.

County:

Law Enforcement agencies or any other organizations that come in contact with or become aware of any individuals that need shelter can bring them to an open warming center. Warming Centers openings will be announced by the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services.

For up-to-date information on county-operated warming & cooling centers, visit the Ulster County Emergency Services webpage or check the Ulster County Facebook page for updates.

County:

Law Enforcement agencies or any other organizations that come in contact with or become aware of any individuals that need shelter can bring them to the cooling center. Cooling Center openings will be announced when there are 3 or more consecutive days above 90 degrees.

For up-to-date information on county-operated cooling centers, visit the Ulster County Emergency Services webpage or check the Ulster County Facebook page for updates.

Food Pantries

During and after an emergency, residents are encouraged to utilize food pantries. These resources play a vital role in providing essential nourishment to individuals and families facing food insecurity during challenging times. Food pantries help bridge the gap when access to regular food supplies is disrupted or limited due to emergencies such as natural disasters. They offer a lifeline by distributing donated food items and groceries to those in need, ensuring that nobody goes hungry.

Reference this map to find which location is closest for you and how to get there via public transportation.  Visit the UlsterCorps website for an updated list of food pantries and relevant resources.

St. Mary’s Rectory Food Pantry serves residents of Marlboro and Milton 10am-1pm, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.

You can also reference this map of Ulster County Food Pantries, Meal Programs and Ulster County Area Transit ( ) bus lines, developed & maintained by UlsterCorps & Family of Woodstock.

Food and Water Safety

In the event of an emergency or disaster, access to food, water, and electricity may be limited or scarce. Prepare for yourself and your family by storing emergency food and water supplies.

Food:

During an emergency situation, it's important to take steps to ensure that the food you consume is safe to eat. Here are some food safety and storage tips to follow during and after an emergency:

  1. Keep food at safe temperatures: Keep perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products refrigerated at a temperature below 40°F. If there is a power outage, try to keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. Use a thermometer to check the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer when power is restored.
  2. Use food within recommended timeframes: Check the expiration dates on your food items, and use them within the recommended timeframe. If you are unsure whether a particular food is still safe to eat, use your senses to check for any unusual odors, colors, or textures.
  3. Store food properly: Keep food stored in airtight containers or packaging to prevent contamination from pests and bacteria. Avoid storing food near chemicals, cleaning supplies, or other hazardous materials.
  4. Use clean utensils and surfaces: During an emergency, it's important to use clean utensils and surfaces to prepare and handle food. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and use clean cutting boards, knives, and other utensils.
  5. Cook food thoroughly: Cook all meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs to the proper temperature to kill any harmful bacteria. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of cooked food reaches at least 165°F.
  6. Use safe water: Use only safe, clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. If you are unsure about the safety of your water supply, boil it for at least one minute before use.
  7. Discard any questionable food: If you suspect that any food may be contaminated, discard it immediately. Don't take any chances with food safety, especially during an emergency situation.
  8. Familiar foods are important and create a feeling of security in times of stress. Try to include foods that you and your family will enjoy and that are also high in calories and nutrition. Foods that require no refrigeration, water, special preparation, or cooking are best.

Find out more on how to keep food safe before, during, and after emergencies, such as floods, fires, natural disasters, or the loss of power by visiting Foodsafety.gov.

For more questions about food safety, contact the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) to talk to a food safety expert or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Water:

Water safety and storage are critical during an emergency. Here are some tips and resources to help you ensure that you have safe and clean drinking water before, during, and after an emergency:

Before:

  • Store enough water: It's recommended to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. Store water in clean, airtight containers, and label them with the date they were filled.
  • Rotate stored water: If you're storing water for an extended period, rotate it every six months to keep it fresh.
  • Learn how to purify water: Learn how to purify water in case your stored water runs out. Some methods for purifying water include boiling, using water purification tablets, and using a water filter.
  • Locate emergency water sources: Identify sources of water that you can access in an emergency, such as a nearby lake, river, or well.

During:

  • Use safe water sources: If your regular water supply is compromised, use your stored water or find a safe water source to use. Boil or treat any water from an unknown source before drinking it.
  • Avoid contaminated water: Do not drink water that has a strange color, odor, or taste. Also, avoid water that may be contaminated by chemicals, sewage, or other hazardous materials.
  • Collect and store rainwater: You can also collect rainwater during an emergency. Place a clean container outside to collect the rainwater.

After:

  • Check for safety: Check with your local authorities to see if your water supply is safe to drink. Listen to news reports and follow any instructions from local officials. For information on Town of Ulster Water visit Water Department
  • Purify water: If your water supply is not safe, use a water purification method to make it safe for consumption.
  • Dispose of contaminated water: If you suspect that any water may be contaminated, do not use it for any purpose. Dispose of it properly.
 Resources for food and water safety/storage:

Electrical/Gas Outages & Water/Bagged Ice

Power outages may become more frequent with increased storm intensities due to climate change. Stay informed on outages by using the Central Hudson Interactive Outage Map. In the event of a gas-related emergency, call 911 to contact the local fire department. For information regarding electric and natural gas safety, visit https://www.cenhud.com/Safety.

Customers can stay informed of storm and restoration conditions in the following ways:

 By text messaging: Customers should enroll in Central Hudson’s Texting Program to use text messaging to report their power condition and to obtain repair status. To enroll, visit com/Alerts or text REG to 236483

  • On the Web: Visit com/Storms to report outages and obtain restoration updates
  • Via smartphones: Updated free Central Hudson mobile applications are available for Android and Apple devices by logging onto cenhud.com/mobileapp.
  • Through social media: “Like” Central Hudson on Facebook (com/CentralHudson) and “Follow” on Twitter (Twitter.com/CentralHudson)
  • By phone: Call the Central Hudson PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, and please use the automated system to report or monitor your power condition.
    • If a member of your household needs electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment, please contact customer service at (845) 452-2700.
Power Line Safety

Downed power lines can be extremely dangerous and can cause severe injury or death. Here is some detailed information and resources on how to stay safe when there are downed power lines after a storm:

  • Stay away from downed power lines: Always assume that any downed power line is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 10 feet away from the downed line and anything that it may be touching.
  • Avoid contact with anything in contact with the downed line: If a power line has fallen on a car, fence, or tree, avoid touching these objects as they may be energized.
  • Never attempt to move a downed power line: Only trained professionals should handle downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, call your local power company or emergency services immediately.
  • If you're in a vehicle that encounters a downed power line: Stay inside the vehicle and wait for help to arrive. If you must exit the vehicle, jump out with both feet together, landing on the ground without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the vehicle, always keeping your feet close together and on the ground.
  • Report downed power lines: If you see a downed power line, report it to your local power company or emergency services immediately.
 Additional Resources:

Generator Safety

In the event of an electric failure, generators are typically used as a source of secondary power. Unfortunately, this emergency equipment can present serious health and safety concerns.  The following information is sourced from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Red Cross, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The primary hazards that arise when using a generator include:

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
  • Never use a generator inside a closed space, including but not limited to, homes, garages, basements, crawlspaces, or any partially enclosed area.
  • Ensure devices are outdoors and are kept away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to circulate indoors.
  • CO cannot be seen or smelled, leading to incapacitation or death. Do not attempt to use fans, open doors, or windows to allow for air flow. Rather, if you begin to feel sick, dizzy, or weak – get to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention. Do not re-enter the area until it is determined to be safe by trained and properly equipped personnel.
  • Install CO alarms in central locations with your home. Test batteries frequently and replace when necessary. Ensure alarms are located on every level and in close vicinity to sleeping areas to ensure proper warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
Fire
  • Generators increase in temperature while running and may remain hot even after they are stopped. Ensure proper cool off time before refueling, relocating the generator or placing objects nearby.
  • Generator fuels (gasoline, kerosene, etc.) are flammable and will ignite when spilled on a hot engine part. All fuels should be stored in containers with proper designs, ventilation, and labeling for contents. Fuels should NOT be stored in the home.
Electrocution
  • Always use heavy-duty extension cords when connecting a generator to other appliances.
  • An increase in voltage or a surge to outside power lines can occur when hooking your generator directly into your home power supply. This action could lead to potential injuries or electrocution of utility linemen but may also bypass circuit protection devices, resulting in a surge electricity leading to major injury or death.
Additional Resources:

Electric Car Charging Stations

In the event of an emergency, visit NYSERDA’s Electric Vehicle Station Locator to find nearby electric charging station locations. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides up-to-date information on alternative fueling station locations.

Download the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s mobile application available for Android and Apple devices.

Pets and Livestock

The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet or livestock owner, that plan must include your pets and livestock. Proper planning and preparedness measures, such as creating emergency kits, securing shelter, and identifying evacuation routes, can help safeguard our pets and livestock.

Pet Owners:

Your pets are important members of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan.

Livestock Owners:

Livestock play critical roles in agriculture and food production. Safeguarding them during emergencies helps sustain our communities and the broader economy. Consider the following tips when learning how to protect your livestock during an emergency:

Post Emergency Resources

For post-emergency assistance services, visit the Hudson Valley Red Cross webpage to learn more.

For general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal, visit Ready.gov.

For up-to-date information on county-operated and organized resources, visit the Ulster County Emergency Services webpage or check the Ulster County Facebook page for updates.

Mental Health

After a natural disaster, several mental health resources are available to help individuals and communities cope with the emotional and psychological impact of the event.

  • Disaster Distress Helpline: The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support for individuals experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster. The helpline is free, confidential, and available to everyone. You can call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor.
  • Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program: The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) is a federal program that provides short-term counseling and support to individuals and communities affected by a disaster. The program is designed to help people cope with the immediate emotional and psychological effects of the disaster and can provide referrals to longer-term mental health services if needed.
  • Mental Health America: Mental Health America is a national organization that provides resources and support for individuals struggling with mental health issues, including those related to a disaster. Their website offers a variety of resources, including fact sheets, guides, and tips for coping with disaster-related stress and trauma.
  • Local mental health services: After a disaster, local mental health services may be available to provide counseling and support to those affected. Check with your local health department or mental health agency for information on available services.

It's essential to prioritize mental health and seek support if needed after a disaster. Remember, it's okay to ask for help, and there are resources available to support you.