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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER from the Westchester County Department of Communications. August 29, 2011. 5 P.M. E.D.T.

County Executive Robert P. Astorino continued to inspect the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Irene on Monday, as the county began coordinating efforts to obtain federal disaster aid.

“The damage is significant,” Astorino said. “We are now in the process of documenting the financial cost so that we can obtain any available federal aid.”

   As of 3 p.m., approximately 67,400 Westchester residents were still without power; 35,000 supplied by Con Ed (down from 52,000 as of 2 P.M.) and 32,400 by NYSEG.

That 67,400 figure is down from 82,000 on Monday morning.

On the roads, the Bronx River Parkway has reopened in some sections. The only section still closed is between the Sprain Brook Parkway split (Bronxville) and the County Center in both directions. Crews continue to work on the closed sections.

Three shelters will remain open Monday night. They are in Armonk, Mamaroneck and North Salem. That’s down from more than 24 over the weekend, as many residents have now returned home. All the evacuation orders across the county were rescinded on Monday.

President Obama declared New York a disaster area even before Hurricane Irene struck. To qualify for aid, the region has to meet a damage threshold of $3 million. Typically, local communities receive a reimbursement of 75 percent of approved claims. 

To help commuters deal with disruptions on the Metro North Railroad, Astorino on Monday ordered six additional buses added to the BxM4C line, which runs between the County Center and Manhattan. On Tuesday morning, there will be five additional Manhattan-bound BxM4C buses.

“We are now in the clean up phase and the county is working tirelessly to help return things to normal,”  Astorino said. “We are assisting municipalities, utilities and transportation partners in whatever way we can to restore service as quickly as possible.”    

On Monday morning,  Astorino was in Rye as he continued to assess damage from the storm. He was joined by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Rye City Mayor Doug French, and other officials, who together toured the downtown shopping district and discussed recovery efforts with merchants and residents.                             

On Sunday, Astorino was in Elmsford, Mamaroneck, Ossining and Croton among other hard-hit communities. In the evening, he met with Larchmont Mayor Josh Mandell, Mamaroneck Village Mayor Norm Rosenblum, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe and residents at the evacuation center being run by the American Red Cross of Greater New York out of Mamaroneck High School.  Earlier in the day, he viewed the entire county by helicopter to get a damage assessment.

The county Web site will continue to post updates regularly. You may also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/westchestergov.  

All relevant county departments put together response plans. County departments involved include: Emergency Services, Public Safety, Communications, Health, Public Works, Transportation, Information Technology, Senior Programs, Environmental Facilities Social Services and Parks and Recreation.

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER ANDY SEALFON. AUGUST 29, 2011:

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. WPCNR reporting and The Mayor’s Office. August 29, 2011:

As of 2 P.M., 474 White Plains Con Edison customers are still without power in the city. This is a rapid restoration over 18 hours by Con Edison, putting at least 2,400 White Plainsians back online over night into this morning, as Hurricane Irene’s fiesty exit winds (gusting up to 50 MPH) died down by midnight.

City Hall Issued this Statement on the Power Situation in White Plains today via its website, cautioning there would still be delays:

“We are aware of power outages throughout the City and are working directly with Con Edison to remedy the situation. However, due to the scale of the outages throughout the region, restoration of service may be delayed. The City of White Plains is doing everything possible to assist Con Edison in their efforts.

Normal parking regulations are in effect.

The seasonal ban on the use of leaf blowers has been temporarily suspended due to the storm. Operators must comply with all other noise ordinances with regard to leaf blowers and all other equipment.

Refuse Collection and Brush Collection are continuing following the normal schedule.

All City buildings are open with normal hours of operation.”

Countywide, Con Edison reports there are 52,000 county customers out of power as of 2 P.M.

HERE IS THE OUT LIST TOWN BY TOWN AS OF 2 P.M.:

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WPCNR Photographs of the Day. By the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. AUGUST 28, 2011:

Today’s photographs of the day, furnished by Patti Cantu of Battle Hill shows the Bronx River Parkway at the County Center, the most-effected road within the city, photographed late Sunday afternoon, showing what 6 to 10 inches of rainfall from Hurricane Irene can do.

The Bronx River Parkway, White Plains 4 P.M. August 28, 2011. Photos Courtesy of Patti Cantu

As of 7 P.M., winds from the backside of the Hurrincane Irene system were gusting from 28 to 45 miles per hour through the city and more downed trees could occur.

A driving tour by WPCNR between 4 and 7 P.M. through the city indicated that the city was navigable, roads were passable. Traffic signals working. Only two trees were spotted downed, but had already been cleared by the City. Restaurants were open on Mamaroneck Avenue, and people could drive into town and find a place for dinner and a drink.