WHEREAS, on September 29, 2023, and continuing thereafter, a severe storm has created hazardous conditions posing an imminent danger to public transportation, utility service, public health, and public safety systems within the counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Ulster, Westchester, and contiguous counties;
WHEREAS, the storm is producing torrential rain and flash flooding, resulting in road closures, travel disruptions, widespread power outages, and damage to public and private property, which pose a threat to the public health and safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York and Section 28 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby find that a disaster is imminent for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately. Therefore, I hereby declare a State Disaster Emergency, effective September 29, 2023, for the counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Ulster, Westchester, and contiguous counties. This Executive Order shall be in effect through October 29, 2023; and
FURTHER, pursuant to Section 29 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, I direct the implementation of the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and authorize, effective September 29, 2023, State agencies as necessary, and the American Red Cross, to take appropriate action to protect State property and to assist affected local governments and individuals in responding to and recovering from this disaster, and to provide such other assistance as necessary to protect the public health and safety;
IN ADDITION, this declaration satisfies the requirements of 49 C.F.R. 390.23(a)(l)(A), which provides relief from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Such relief from the FMCSR is necessary to ensure that crews can clear vital roadways and hasten the movement of utility power restoration crews into New York State;
FURTHER, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend or modify any statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation, or parts thereof, if compliance with such statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency, I hereby temporarily suspend or modify, for the period from the date of this Executive Order through October 6, 2023, the following laws:
Section 112 of the State Finance Law, to the extent consistent with Article V, Section I of the State Constitution, and to the extent necessary to add additional work, sites and time to State contracts; and
Section 163 of the State Finance Law and Article 4-C of the Economic Development Law, to the extent necessary to purchase commodities, services, technology and materials without following the standard notice and procurement processes.
(L.S.) GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this twenty-ninth day of September in the year two thousand twenty-three.
BY THE GOVERNOR
/S/ Kathy Hochul
/s/ Karen Persichilli Keogh
Secretary to the Governor
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 9.118