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Erroneous Blizzard Forecast Disrupts Life In Putnam County

PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- Although the significant blizzard that weather forecasts predicted never came to Putnam -- a storm that was garden-variety in nature came -- local merchants and workers could feel the impact, anyway.

From left, Smalley's Inn owner Anthony Porto, John Travis, Edward Garvey and Kristy Farina.

From left, Smalley's Inn owner Anthony Porto, John Travis, Edward Garvey and Kristy Farina.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
From left, Phillip Walsh and Kuba Quinlan at Bob's Diner in Brewster.

From left, Phillip Walsh and Kuba Quinlan at Bob's Diner in Brewster.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Smalley Inn is in downtown Carmel.

Smalley Inn is in downtown Carmel.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Bob's Diner is in downtown Brewster.

Bob's Diner is in downtown Brewster.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Anthony Porto, owner of Smalley Inn, a mainstay in downtown Carmel, reported that business was down on Tuesday. He explained that a lot of customers and his help did not come in, which left him and his son to operate an eatery that is open seven days a week and rarely closed.

The last time Smalley closed was in 2012 due to  power outage caused by Hurricane Sandy, Porto recalled.

“It does not matter how high the snow is. I live here.”

People who went out to Smalley on Tuesday shared their reactions.

Carmel resident and electrician Edward Garvey explained that the company was closed for business, which meant that the prediction of a severe snowfall cost him work today. 

John Travis, a fellow Carmel resident who works in construction, did not make money on Tuesday because his business was also closed for the day. However, Travis also said it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to weather.

Kristy Farina, who lives in the Dutchess County community of Stormville, had mixed reactions about the storm not being as severe as predicted.

“Disappointed and happy at the same time,” she said.

Farina noted preparing but added that she was happy she didn't get stuck in her house.

Over at Bob's Diner in downtown Brewster, workers discussed the impact of the missed forecast.

Kuba Quinlan explained that business was down on Tuesday. He said that he was expecting to come out to two or three feet of snow, which did not happen.

For Phillip Walsh, who also works at Bob's, his reaction to the missed forecast was "disappointed."

 

 

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