POUGHKEEPSIE – The potential for significant winter weather this weekend, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has declared a State of Emergency in preparation, based on current forecasts. The National Weather Service (NWS Albany) has posted a WINTER STORM WARNING beginning at 7 am on Sunday, January 25th, until 7 pm on Monday, January 26th. Widespread heavy snowfall is expected with snow accumulation totaling 12-24” across Dutchess County.
With significant projected snow accumulations making travel hazardous and difficult, Serino issued travel restrictions to keep travelers safe while allowing state, county, and local highway crews the time to remove the fast-accumulating snow safely, without being impeded by additional traffic.
Travel bans for all except essential personnel go into effect on Sunday at 5 am and remain in effect until 5 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Serino also issued an on Monday, January 26, 2026.
County Executive Serino told “The safety of our residents and visitors in Dutchess County is my main concern. To keep everyone safe, I have issued the travel ban.” Serino also said, “We are braced for a major winter event this Sunday and Monday. To ensure public safety and allow road crews to keep up with the storm, we have issued an emergency order banning travel in Dutchess County starting from 5 am Sunday through 5 pm Monday, and I ask residents to please abide by it for everyone’s safety.”
The emergency order restricts travel on roadways in Dutchess County on Sunday and Monday except for emergency vehicles and essential personnel such as news media, medical and health facility personnel; law enforcement and public safety personnel; first responders; utility, maintenance and public works personnel; snow removal sanding, salting and clearing operations personnel; facility operations persons deemed necessary for plant operations by their employers; and public and government personnel involved in emergency operations.
County Executive Serino hosted a conference call Friday afternoon with local and state elected officials, as well as representatives from utility companies and County teams, including the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Response, Public Works, and others, to discuss potential storm impacts and proactive measures being taken, including:
- The Dutchess County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be operational on Sunday and Monday to coordinate response to storm conditions and Dutchess County’s 9-1-1 Communication Center is fully staffed, with additional staffing scheduled throughout the storm.
- Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) will have additional road patrol deputies on duty throughout the storm deployed in four-wheel-drive vehicles, with other all-terrain vehicles strategically stationed to be utilized as necessary. DCSO works collaboratively with the Department of Emergency Response to respond as needed.
- Dutchess County Public Works Highway Division crews have prepped the County’s fleet of more than 50 vehicles and equipment with materials to be applied to County roadways as the storm begins, and crews will be out through the duration of the storm to clear roadways.
- Dutchess County Parks will be closed on Sunday and Monday with Parks Division employees assisting with snow removal operations throughout the county.
- Dutchess County Public Transit (DCPT) will operate on a normal fixed-route schedule for Saturday, but there will be no bus service on Sunday or Monday. Additional DCPT updates will be posted at www.dutchessny.gov/publictransit, on the DCPT mobile SPOT app, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Riders can also call (845) 473-8424.
- Dutchess County Government offices will be closed Monday, including Dutchess County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices. Confirmed DMV appointments for Monday will be honored at the same time and office on Tuesday, January 27th as weather conditions permit.
- The Office for the Aging’s eight Senior Friendship Centers will be closed on Monday, and there will be no Home Delivered Meals deliveries; shelf-stable meals have been delivered to older adults enrolled in the program.
Frigid temperatures are also a concern, with temperatures dropping to single digits starting Friday evening (January 23rd). Dutchess County’s CODE BLUE protocol is in effect for anyone who needs shelter when temperatures are 32 degrees or below. Dutchess County Department of Community & Family Services (DCFS) collaborates with community partners to ensure every resident is safe. Anyone who needs emergency shelter should call 2-1-1 after to be connected with staff who will assist in getting people to shelter placement.
Residents can stay up to date on Dutchess County’s storm response online at .
Additionally, winter weather safety tips are available online at .
County Executive Serino concluded, “We are grateful to all of the highway crews, first responders, utility and other essential workers who will be out working in the storm to keep the public safe. We encourage all of our neighbors to be smart and stay safe by following safety guidance and travel ban orders. Let us all look out for one another – reach out to check in with elderly neighbors and others who live alone, lend a helping hand where you can, so together we all get safely through the storm.”
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