21 February State of Emergency Declared 2-22-2026 and 2-23-2026 February 21, 2026 By Town Clerk . Community News, General, Public Notices 0 State of Emergency Declared 2-22-2026 and 2-23-2026 Related Articles O.C. Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has Declared a Local State of Emergency in Orange County For Immediate Release Contact: Rebecca Sheehan January 25, 2026 Phone: 845.291.2700 In response to the developing winter storm situation in Orange County, County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has declared a "Local State of Emergency" in Orange County, as provided for under the provisions of Article 2-B, Section 24, N.Y.S. Executive Law. This declaration empowers County officials to temporarily suspend and/or change normal County operating procedures including (but not limited to); saving lives, mitigating property damage, limiting access to impacted areas, and requesting additional assistance from New York State. Advisory for Residents: Residents of Orange County are advised to refrain from being on the roads unless they are deemed "essential personnel." County employees should not report to work unless you are essential. If you are uncertain as to your status, reach out to your department head. All vehicular and pedestrian traffic are prohibited from County roadways except for workers designated by medical, law enforcement, and municipalities as essential and traveling to and from work, as well as other officials and employees assisting in the effort to abate the emergency. County Executive Neuhaus and Orange County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff is continuing to monitor this situation and is ready to implement any procedures necessary to protect the overall safety of all County residents. Further information/details: · Due to the extremely low temperatures, the County's Code Blue is in effect. No one should be out on the streets. We are currently monitoring 80 individuals in shelters. If you are aware of someone who is without housing, or have other non-emergency questions or concerns, please call 311. A list of warming centers available throughout the County is available on the Orange County Government website. · Municipalities can "piggyback" on County contracts for emergency procurement needs. · County Government Buildings will be closed to the public on Monday, January 26, 2026, including, the Orange County Government Center, County Clerk, DMV, All Courts, and the Orange County Courthouse. · Most schools in Orange County have announced closings for tomorrow. If you are uncertain about the status of a particular school district, please check the school district's website and/or social media. · The Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated since 7:00 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2026, with multiple community partners on-site, including Central Hudson, Orange and Rockland, Orange County Sheriff's Office, NY State Police, and the County's Emergency Operation's Team and will continue to be fully operational until 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026, and longer if deemed necessary. · While the snow currently falling is not heavy, there will be a significant volume of it, with ice and sleet a possibility. Please use caution when shoveling, doing snow removal. "I want to thank County residents for staying home and off the roads, which allows the public works and first responders to do what they have to more efficiently and effectively," stated County Executive Neuhaus. "We have had a limited number of accidents thus far, which is due in large part to your cooperation. I also want to thank my emergency management team, public works personnel, and first responders who are out working to make sure our community stays safe." Residents are advised to remain informed by monitoring official updates on Orange County Government's website and social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyGovernment and https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyEmergencyManagement and be ready to follow any safety guidance issued by local authorities. Additional information will be provided as the situation develops. For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.907.2332 or [email protected]. For general media inquiries, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to the County Executive and Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845-291-2700 or [email protected]. Stay connected with County Executive Neuhaus and Orange County Government on social media:? o Facebook: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus? o Instagram: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus? o X (formerly Twitter): @OCGovNY | @SNeuhausOC? Be sure to also check out the Blueprint Orange video series, a behind-the-scenes look at the projects, places, and people that make our County a great place to live. And don't miss the newest episode of NeuCast, featuring HONOR, now streaming on the Orange County Government YouTube channel and OrangeCountyGov.com. Declaration of State of Emergency Town of Monroe DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY TOWN OF MONROE Pursuant to the authority granted to me under New York State Executive Law, Section 24, in order to preserve public safety, I, Anthony Cardone, Town Supervisor of the Town of Monroe hereby declare a state of emergency in the Town of Monroe for a period of time beginning December 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m and lasting until January 28, 2022 1:59 p.m., unless otherwise extended by an addition order. I hereby direct all departments of the Town of Monroe, to take steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary. This state of emergency has been declared due to the ongoing COVID-19 / Coronavirus Disease 2019, which was initially declared a pandemic by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this disease a world Pandemic on March 11, 2020, the Governor of the State of New York declared a state of emergency for New York State on March 07, 2020 and on March 13, 2020 the President of the United States filed an Emergency Declaration in regard to COVID-19. Subsequently, a recent surge in COVID cases and COVID variants has resulted in new State of Emergency declarations by the Governor of the State of New York, including Executive Order 11 of 2021 (November 26, 2021). This emergency is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant that certain emergency protective measures to be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all the Town residents. As a result of this ongoing pandemic the Town may need to take actions to suspend local laws, policies and regulations in order to respond to such pandemic/State of Emergency and Local Emergency Order will be issued as necessary to do so and to ensure the public safety, public property or life, health, and safety of residents require immediate action. These conditions threaten the public safety of the citizens of the Town of Monroe. Dated: December 30, 2021 Anthony Cardone Town Supervisor Town of Monroe (Town Supervisor executes in quadruplicate) Orange County State of Emergency Lifted For Immediate Release January 26, 2026 Contact: Rebecca Sheehan 845.291.2700 Orange County State of Emergency Lifted County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has announced that the Local State of Emergency in Orange County will be officially lifted effective at 12:00 Noon today, Monday, January 26th. Road conditions have significantly improved following sustained clean-up operations by municipal and County public works crews, and travel throughout the County can begin to return to normal. Public works crews will continue to monitor the roadways and address any remaining isolated issues. Residents should continue to give these public servants access to the roadways to continue necessary snow removal work. Parking restrictions associated with the State of Emergency are no longer in effect, unless otherwise posted. Municipal parking restrictions remain in effect for the duration of the State of Emergency issued within that jurisdiction. “Thanks to the diligent and dedicated hard work of our public works crews and emergency personnel, as well as the patience and cooperation of County residents, we are able to safely lift this State of Emergency,” said Neuhaus. “However, I encourage residents to remain off the roads as much as possible and use caution when traveling, as there are still snow removal operations in progress.” Further information/details: · The County’s Code Blue remains in effect due to below freezing temperatures. No one should be out on the streets. If you are aware of someone who is without housing, or have other non-emergency questions or concerns, please call 311. A list of warming centers available throughout the County is available on the Orange County Government website. · County Government Buildings remain closed to the public today, Monday, January 26, 2026, including, the Orange County Government Center, County Clerk, DMV, All Courts, and the Orange County Courthouse. All government offices are expected to open on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. County employees need not report to work today, except designated essential workers that have been directed to report to work by a Department Head. County employees are to report to work on regular schedules beginning tomorrow, January 27th. · For information about Orange County school and businesses closures, please check the school district’s or business’ websites and social media. · The Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated since 7:00 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2026, with multiple community partners on-site, including Central Hudson, Orange and Rockland, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, NY State Police, and the County’s Emergency Operation’s Team and will continue to be fully operational until 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026. Residents are advised to remain informed by monitoring official updates on Orange County Government’s website and social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyGovernment and https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyEmergencyManagement and be ready to follow any safety guidance issued by local authorities. Additional information will be provided as the situation develops. For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.907.2332 or [email protected]. Local Emergency Orders: Town of Monroe Emergency Order Local Laws for Procurement Local Emergency Orders: Town of Monroe Emergency Order Local Laws for Procurement State of Emergency Town Offices will Be Closing Jan 26 State of Emergency Town Offices will Be Closing Jan 26. DEC Announces Free Fishing Day in New York State DEC Announces Free Fishing Day in New York State Freshwater Fishing License Not Required on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 27, 2025 New Yorkers Encouraged to “Get Offline, Get Outside” and Try Freshwater Fishing at No Cost The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced Sept. 27 will mark the next Free Fishing Day in New York State. “The September 27th free fishing day is particularly special because it coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, a celebration of the incredible angling opportunities our state provides,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Free fishing days are the perfect time for newcomers to learn to freshwater fish or for experienced anglers to bring others outdoors to enjoy the many abundant waterways across New York.” This annual Free Fishing Day coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was designated by Congress in 1972. The day helps encourage people to experience, understand, and appreciate traditional outdoor sports and recreation and abundant natural resources, while also recognizing hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. Free Fishing Days further support Governor Hochul's “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative that promotes physical and mental health by helping encourage New York’s children and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. In addition to designated free freshwater fishing days, DEC and its partners also hold free fishing clinics throughout the year. Participants learn about local fishing opportunities and are taught about the fish they can catch, fishing safety, how to cast a fishing rod, aquatic resource stewardship, and New York’s fishing regulations. A full list of programs is available on DEC’s website. Check the list regularly as new events are added throughout the year. No rod? No problem. DEC partners with libraries across the state to provide a fishing rod lending program. Along with borrowing a book, library patrons can sign out a fishing rod. This affordable program provides an opportunity for people to try fishing before deciding to purchase their own gear. For more information on the program and a list of participating libraries visit DEC’S website. For beginning anglers interested in getting started, the I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod to identifying your catch and understanding fishing regulations. DEC's Places to Fish webpages are a reliable source of information for those ready to plan their next fishing trip. The “Tackle Box” feature in DEC’s official app, HuntFishNY, contains freshwater fishing regulations, boating access and stocking information within a map-based interface from the convenience of a smart phone. Other features include driving directions to state-operated boat launch sites and an offline feature that allows users to access information when cell coverage isn't available. The HuntFishNY app is available for download through Google Play or the App store. For more information visit DEC’s website. The final free fishing day for 2025 will take place on Veterans Day, November 11. On Free Fishing Days, New York residents and non-residents alike may fish for free without a fishing license. Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that, although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. When not participating in Free Fishing Days, anyone 16 years of age and older must have a current New York State fishing license to fish. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. More information on purchasing a fishing license can be found on DEC's website. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOH’s website to search by waterbody location. https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases Comments are closed.