Welcome to the Beacon Help Center for emergencies, hazards, disaster preparation, and climate risk. Expand each section below to find resources available via the City of Beacon, Dutchess County, New York State, and others.
Get Urgent Help
Shelters
In the event of an emergency, shelters will be designated by City of Beacon and Dutchess County officials.
Check this map for open Red Cross shelters in your area: Hudson Valley Red Cross.
Unless clearly stated, emergency shelters do not have the capacity to accept household pets. To plan care for animals during an emergency.
In the event of an emergency, shelters will be designated by City of Beacon and Dutchess County officials.
Check this map for open Red Cross shelters in your area: Hudson Valley Red Cross.
Unless clearly stated, emergency shelters do not have the capacity to accept household pets. To plan care for animals during an emergency .
Emergency Services
Emergency service providers in the City of Beacon:
Fire: Beacon Fire Department Headquarters (Mase Hook and Ladder); located at 425 Main Street, Beacon, NY
(845) 831-1334
Ambulance: Please dial 911. Beacon’s ambulance services are provided by the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Ambulanz.
Police: Beacon Police Department; located at 1 Municipal Plaza, Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 831-4111
Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. Visit ready.gov/pets for more information and resources.
Before an emergency:
The Dutchess County Animal Response Team is a part of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County. They are a team of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers who focus on animal preparedness planning, education, and outreach. The Team offers trainings for the public on pet CPR and first aid. To learn more, visit their Facebook pages: Dutchess County Animal Response Team, MRC Dutchess County .
During an emergency:
The Empire State Animal Response Team (ESART) supports animals during a climate emergency in New York State.
Warming Centers:
Extreme cold weather events, such as blizzards, are becoming more likely in the Northeast and are predicted to increase in intensity despite rising temperatures and shortened winters. Warming centers can ensure your safety and prevent exposure to dangerous and inclement weather.
The following location may be available as a warming center during regularly scheduled operating hours:
Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St, Beacon, NY (reachable via Beacon Free Loop)
Monday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am – 8:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 8:00pm
Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Cooling Centers:
Planning for extreme heat is critical reducing the number of deaths and hospitalizations that take place during high-heat events. Cooling centers are air-conditioned spaces where members of the public can cool down.
Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St, Beacon, NY (reachable via Beacon Free Loop)
Monday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am – 8:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 8:00pm
Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
During an emergency, residents are encouraged to utilize food pantries in surrounding towns. Reference this guide to find which location is closest to you. Some locations may be accessible via public transportation. Reference this list for a full overview of food pantries throughout Dutchess County.
In the event of an emergency, Central Hudson will distribute dry ice and bottled water to customers in need. Distribution locations are announced on their website and through social media.
Stay up to date on power restoration efforts during a storm:
- Through social media: “Like” Central Hudson on Facebook (Facebook.com/CentralHudson) and “Follow” on Twitter (com/CentralHudson)
- By phone: Call the Central Hudson PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, and please use the automated system to report or monitor your power condition.
Power outages may become more frequent with increased storm intensities due to climate change. Stay informed on how to prepare for and report outages to your local power company.
In the event of a gas-related emergency, call 911 to contact the local fire department. For information regarding electric and natural gas safety, visit https://www.cenhud.com/Safety.
For updates on storm-related power outages and restoration:
- By text messaging: Customers should enroll in Central Hudson’s Texting Program to use text messaging to report their power condition and to obtain repair status. To enroll, visit com/Alerts or text REG to 236483
- On the Web: Visit com/Storms to report outages and obtain restoration updates
- Via smartphones: Updated free Central Hudson mobile applications are available for Android and Apple devices by logging onto cenhud.com/mobileapp.
- Through social media: “Like” Central Hudson on Facebook (com/CentralHudson) and “Follow” on Twitter (Twitter.com/CentralHudson)
- By phone: Call the Central Hudson PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, and please use the automated system to report or monitor your power condition.
- If a member of your household needs electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment, please contact customer service at (845) 452-2700.
In the event of an emergency, visit https://www.plugshare.com/ to find nearby electric charging station locations.
The City of Beacon does not have designated emergency car parking. Community members are encouraged to make use of the public parking options found on this map.
For post-emergency assistance services, visit the Hudson Valley Red Cross webpage to learn more.
For information and resources related to repairing your flooded home, visit Health.ny.gov.
For general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal, visit Ready.gov.
Stay Informed
When an emergency strikes, it’s important to be in the know. There are multiple systems available to City of Beacon and Dutchess County residents that can send emergency updates and alerts to those that have signed up.
Local:
For access to urgent alerts from the City of Beacon sign up here for Rave Mobile Safety notifications. All the calls you receive will have the Caller ID of City of Beacon.
Stay up-to-date by following the Facebook pages for the City of Beacon Police Department and City of Beacon Fire Department.
County:
For County–wide alerts download the Ready Dutchess app from apple and google.
The “Ready Dutchess” app provides anyone with a smartphone or tablet the latest information during an emergency – from push notifications about local road or facility closures and severe weather updates, to planning tools and checklists. The app provides users various resources and links, including:
- A “My Emergency Plan” tool for building a plan to know what to do before, during and after any kind of emergency;
- Live traffic updates from New York State’s 5-1-1, which provides up-to-the-minute transit information from the State’s Department of Transportation;
- A map that will display countywide emergency shelters and cooling/warming centers, when open;
- Links to local closing and delay information for local school districts, businesses and events;
- Links to electric companies NYSEG and Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp for updates on power outages;
- Calendar and registration information for upcoming Citizens’ Preparedness and Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County trainings open to the public;
- A link to the County health department’s HELPLINE application; and
- Information on emergent health issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or monkeypox.
Follow the Facebook page of Dutchess County Emergency Management. for updates.
State:
New Yorkers can subscribe for NY-Alert to receive critical information and emergency alerts on what is happening in their area. NY-Alert contains critical, emergency-related information including instructions and recommendations in real-time by emergency personnel. Information may include severe weather warnings, significant highway closures, hazardous material spills and other emergency conditions.
All areas of New York State are included in the system, and you can decide which area you would like to receive alerts about.
Signing up is free, and messages can be received by phone, email, text and fax.
The Dutchess County Access and Functional Needs Registry is now available. Complete an application for the registry if:
- You need assistance during an emergency and cannot manage on your own and/or you need other people to assist you if you must evacuate your home during an emergency, OR
- You need first responders to understand any special needs you may have before entering your home to assist you.
National Weather Service Advanced Hydraulic Prediction Service
Visit the National Weather Service webpage for direct access to local information pertaining to the City of Beacon.
To learn more about climate and change and potential flooding click here.
Visit the Red Cross website to learn about more disaster and recovery services in your area.
Prepare for Emergencies
Citizen Preparedness Training
The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response hosts free Citizen Preparedness Training sessions at various locations throughout the year. Learn more here.
Volunteer
Make a Plan
Disasters can happen anywhere, any time. That’s why it’s important you’re prepared. Do you have a plan for yourself, your pets, and your family? Consider the specific needs you might have in an emergency by visiting Ready.gov.
Build a Kit
An emergency kit should have everything you need to survive for several days. Keeping your kit stocked with necessities like food, water, and medical care can make the difference in the face of a disaster. Visit Ready.gov to learn more.
With increased oceanic and atmospheric temperatures, it is likely that residents will encounter increased precipitation, heatwaves, and potentially extreme flood events. All residents should be aware of risks and know how to find information and help when flooding occurs. Whether you live in the flood zone or not, being prepared for an emergency is important. View the City of Beacon Flood Preparedness Guide for more information.
Know Your Zone: If you live close to the Fishkill Creek or the Hudson River, you may live in the flood zone, and you should be prepared to secure your home and/or business and evacuate quickly. Flood maps are available through the Beacon Building Department or are viewable online through Dutchess County Parcel Access Map.
For general resources related to weather emergencies, visit the NYS Department of Health’s webpage.
Photo By: Scott Snell
Photo By: Cynthia Careccia
Learn About Climate Impacts
- Learn about climate change in New York State
- How do we know we’re experiencing climate change? Click here for the facts and to learn what the causes are.
- How has climate change affected New York state?
- What are some solutions to climate change?
Power outages may become more frequent with increased storm intensities due to climate change.
Learn more about how the natural resources and communities around you may be at risk by visiting the Ulster County Cornell Cooperative Extension webpage and the DEC fact sheet on climate change in the Hudson Valley.
Learn more about the specific effects of climate change throughout the state by visiting this fact sheet.
Visit the link below to learn more about flood preparedness. To learn more about flood impact along the Hudson River, visit the Hudson River Flood Impact Decision Support System.
Stream Gage Monitoring
USGS National Water Dashboard
The gages in the surrounding streams can provide important data relating to residents and the safety of their homes. Use this interactive map to learn more about discharge, turbidity, and more.
Recognizing the negative effects of climate change is the first step in making a change. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved in adaptation and resiliency projects related to climate change, sign up to learn about City of Beacon’s sustainability efforts here or visit our website.
Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) webpage for more information on what you can do to address climate change.
