Dutchess County will lift its ban on nonessential travel at noon Monday as road crews continue cleanup from a major winter storm that since Sunday, has dropped more than a foot of snow across the region.
In a press release, Serino urged residents to continue avoiding unnecessary travel, even after the restriction is lifted.
“We are grateful to all of our highway crews, first responders and many others who have been working continuously throughout this storm to keep us safe,” Serino said. “It has been a huge storm, and it is not quite over yet. Observing the travel restrictions and staying off the roads has helped keep accidents to a minimum and helps the crews deal with moving the significant amounts of snow. Even once the travel ban ends today at noon, if you don’t have to travel, please continue to stay home and respect the highway crews and essential workers who still have a lot of work to do.”
County and state public works crews worked through multiple shifts plowing roads and treating surfaces, county officials said.
In Pine Plains, Highway Superintendent Carl Baden said as of Monday morning, the roads are still being cleared. “They’re being cleared,” he said.
The National Weather Service’s winter storm warning remains in effect through 7 p.m. Monday, with an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow forecast and storm totals expected to reach between 12 and 20 inches countywide.