Steuben County offers free bottled water as power outage drags on. Here's where.

Steuben County Emergency Services is responding to the severe weather event on Monday that downed trees, caused major power outages and left residents facing extreme heat.

Tim Marshall, Steuben County Director of Emergency Services, said in response to the crisis, emergency services in partnership with Wegmans is offering free bottled water to ensure the well-being and safety of all county residents.

The recent severe weather has resulted in widespread power outages that have left many without electricity, air conditioning, and refrigeration, Marshall said. With temperatures soaring, the risk of heat-related illnesses is a significant concern.

Marshall said to address this urgent need, Steuben County Emergency Services has established a regional distribution point and cooling center where residents can pick up bottled water.

This location, the Gang Mills Fire Department, at 125 Forest Drive, Painted Post, is open from 1-8 p.m. It has been strategically selected to ensure easy access for all members of the community, especially those in the hardest-hit areas.

Residents without power and in need of water are welcome to visit the distribution point to collect bottled water and escape from the heat.

New York State Electric & Gas reported over 20,000 customers in the Elmira Division, which includes Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung counties, remained without power at 3 p.m.

Steuben County Emergency Services will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed, Marshall said. Residents are encouraged to reach out if they require additional assistance.

Marshall said the office also advises residents to take precautions to stay safe in the heat, including staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activities during peak heat hours, and checking on vulnerable neighbors and family members.