General News: Storm King Mountain Roundtable
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| Storm King Roundtable discussion. Photo provided by Cornwall Office of Emergency Management. |
February 19, 2015
from Cornwall Office of Emergency Management
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON – On February 13, the Cornwall Office of Emergency Management facilitated the “Storm King Mountain Roundtable” a collaborative effort with stakeholders to improve safety for motorists and first responders on the area of 9W mired with chronic problems, especially during the winter season.
The frequency of winter weather events over the past few years in our region has caused many accidents, stranded motorists, and miles of backed-up traffic on the heavily traveled Storm King Mountain according to Emergency Manager Kurt Hahn.
You need to travel with great caution on 9W over Storm King Mountain as conditions are often unpredictable and terrifying to both motorists and first responders alike from blind curves, disabled vehicles, fog, water runoff, snow, and ice. Inexperienced motorists tend to underestimate the hazards of traveling over a mountain Hahn says.
For those who commute daily over Storm King Mountain, their vehicles require more frequent maintenance especially braking systems, pads, rotors, and especially snow tires during the winter season. Motorists need to drive at speeds reasonable and prudent for hazards and conditions of the mountain.
There is growing frustration with frequent incidents on 9W over Storm King Mountain from employers, motorists, and first responders.
West Point Colonel Landy Dunham said, “When we issue a Code Red, taxpayers loose over $1 Million.” Safety is the primary concern to make the the decision for a Code Red as most West Point staff travel over 9W or Route 218 when it is open, Colonel Dunham says.
Motorists are calling for better notification such as variable messaging signs so they can attempt alternate routes or delay their commute. Two commuters from Cornwall, Sue Petersen and Theresa Cornish started the “Status of Storm King” Facebook group which now has almost 2,300 members to help spread the word about road conditions over 9W.
First responders are pleading for help also as multiple agencies (Police, Fire, EMS) from Cornwall, Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Town of Highlands are often dispatched simultaneously to calls on Storm King Mountain as there are no easily visible landmarks for callers to provide accurate location information. Those agencies are also frequently committed to the Mountain for lengthy periods of time, leaving their communities with limited resources to respond for emergencies. One recent event on Storm King Mountain required all local Police for over an hour and forty-five minutes.
For two hours participants at the Storm King Mountain Roundtable discussed the history of problems and possible improvements for this season, next season, and long-term. Stakeholders pledged steadfast support to improve the safety of motorists and first responders.
Representatives included Senator Bill Larkin, Laurie Tautel on behalf of Assemblyman James Skoufis, Orange County Legislator Kevin Hines, NYS DOT, NYS Police, Officials and First Responders from Cornwall, Cornwall-on-Hudson, Town of Highlands, Orange County, and West Point.
Visit ready.cornwallny.gov (Storm King Mountain) to share your concerns with stakeholders, for current information on efforts and improvements, safety information for motorists, and for a complete list of participants at the first Storm King Mountain Roundtable.
The mission of the Cornwall Office of Emergency Management is to reduce the loss of life and property from both natural and man-made events by utilizing an all-hazards approach to prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Visit and Follow Cornwall OEM online at:
http://ready.cornwallny.gov/
https://www.facebook.com/cornwalloem
Facebook “Status of Storm King”
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