Snow brings work for some, relief for others

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Dutchess County will be handling a snowy and slippery commute Wednesday, as snow continues to fall. Wochit

Snowfall for many in Dutchess County can mean a day spent warm indoors, with hands wrapped around a cup of cocoa while catching up on a television show or book.

For those who have jobs in service to others, snow can complicate an unavoidable day of work.

Many restaurants stay open through storms to field delivery orders to those staying at home, while people such as firefighters and police officers report to work regardless of the elements.

More than 8 inches of snow fell on parts of Dutchess County, according to the National Weather Service, as snow began Tuesday and continued into Wednesday afternoon.

SNOW: More than 8 inches fall in Dutchess

CANCELLATIONS: Closings, delays, and dismissals 

Accumulations, which were not complete by the Journal's deadline, ranged from 8.3 inches recorded in Rhinebeck at 8:15 a.m., 8 inches in Hyde Park at 10:49 a.m., to 4.6 inches in Red Oaks Mill as of 6:40 a.m.

All public school districts in Dutchess County were closed due to snow Wednesday, in addition to Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie.

Some local firefighters work longer hours when snow hits, including those in the Arlington Fire District, according to Fire Lt. John Dunderdale.

After clearing off their own sidewalks and driveways, firefighters leave home and are ‘working extra-long days because of the storm,” he said.

And dealing with this snow and ice that comes with it can pose a number of obstacles, according to Dunderdale.

“If you don’t need to be on the roads, stay off the roads and make our jobs easier,” he said. “It makes it harder for us to get around — we’re operating very large fire trucks.”

By noon Wednesday, state police in Troop K had responded to 33 property damage auto accidents, six personal injury auto accidents, and 28 disabled vehicles, according to state police spokesman Trooper A.J. Hicks. 

Dunderdale said frozen hydrants and hydrants covered in snow can also be an issue.

“The longer it takes to get to the hydrant, the longer it takes get water on the fire, which can be catastrophic,” he said. “We encourage people to shovel out their fire hydrants.”

WINTER FIRES: Firefighters battle blazes, extreme temps during winter

Along with an increased number of car accidents during heavy snowfall, firefighters also respond to a number of broken water pipes and water mains.

Dunderdale said in some instances, an attempt to defrost these pipes with torches or space heaters can lead to a house fire. Efforts to keep warm with space heaters and other heating devices can also cause these blazes, he said. 

Road conditions make a huge difference when it comes to local food delivery services. 

“As long as we can make it here, we’re here,” said Sam Dalia, manager of TJ’s Pizza in the City of Poughkeepsie.

With many people off from work, it’s a toss-up with how busy business will be on a snowy day, he said.

“It can go either way, usually it’s busier with deliveries,” he said. “A lot of people want to sit at home, relax, watch TV, eat.”

When road conditions are bad, however, Dalia said they are more critical of what locations they deliver to.

“We try to limit it to local areas. If there’s a lot of streets not plowed yet, we try to avoid them,” he said. “We just do the best we can, and go until we can’t anymore.”

Still, other residents have the luxury of staying warm at home, like retired FDNY EMS paramedic Rene Rogers. She said her morning has included knitting and watching rerun episodes of "CSI." 

"I’m sitting cozy with a blanket and a cat, while knitting a cowl for my mother in law," the 58-year-old Pawling resident said. "At about 5 p.m., we’re going to Astoria (Queens) for dinner with our kids."

As of 4 p.m., the high temperature on Wednesday in Poughkeepsie was 31 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

There is no precipitation expected on Thursday, when skies will likely be partly cloudy with a high temperature of about 32 degrees. The temperature on Thursday night was forecast to be in the upper teens. 

Abbott Brant: abrant@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4809, Twitter: @AbbottBrantPoJo