Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi has declared a state of emergency through 12-noon tomorrow (Saturday) as a result of the storm.

While the eastern side of the county faired well since snow accumulations reached only 5-6 inches in the Carmel-Mahopac area and 3-4 inches in Brewster-Southeast, western communities were inundated with heavy snow that caused trees to topple onto utility lines and knock out electric service to wide sections of Putnam Valley, Philipstown, Garrison, Cold Spring and Lake Peekskill. As much as 14 inches of snow fell on the western side.

Sheriff Donald Smith reported three of his deputies trapped in their vehicles when trees fell in front of the police cruisers while the men were responding to emergency calls and as they attempted to retreat, other trees fell behind them. The sheriff said he had “never seen anything like it.”

Route 84 was completely closed from 11 p.m. Thursday until just before noon Friday due to traffic back-ups, numerous crashes and a lack of state DOT trucks plowing and sanding the artery. Hundreds of motorists were forced to spend the night in their vehicle since traffic was at a complete standstill.

All county offices were closed Friday because of the storm. Bondi called on all non-essential vehicles to “stay off the roads so police, fire and emergency services providers can respond to emergency calls.”