FMCC hosting free essentials as storm clean up efforts continue

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - National Grid handed out packages of dry ice and cases of bottled water at the SUNY Fulton Montgomery Community College on Thursday to those who are still without power or access to water in the region.

Intense wind from storms on Tuesday knocked down power lines, trees, and damaged homes in both Fulton and Montgomery counties. Residents of those counties said they haven’t had power since the first storms hit. Some, however, said they got their power back, but yesterday’s stormy weather left them in the dark again. 

"The storm came through, and oh my gosh, it ripped off the skirting for our mobile home, and we’ve been without power ever since," said Geri Hay, a resident of Palatine Bridge.

National Grid said dry ice is one of the biggest needs for those who are trying to salvage what's left of their food after days without a refrigerator due to power outages.

"We didn't' have any damages, we haven't had any power," said Michele Folmsbee, a resident of Sprakers. "We haven't had power for two days since Tuesday afternoon. I probably lost all my food in my refrigerator because I don't' have a backup generator going or anything like that."

Daniel Fogarty, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the SUNY Fulton Montgomery Community College, said the college opened up its campus as it is a convenient location for those who need help.

"Our campus is actually located smack dab in the middle of both counties, so it's much easier for people to come from different rural areas to come to our campus and get supplies they need while we're going through this tough time.

Patrick Stella, the Communications Manager at National Grid, said Fulton and Montgomery counties experienced some of the worst conditions, along with Warren County, during the storms. Stella said National Grid is making progress to clean up after the storm and expects power to be restored to those areas by Thursday night and into Friday morning.