Orange County weathers Sandy

Over several conference calls between county and municipal government officials today, leaders tempered talk of widespread damage as impacts from Sandy proved softer than forecasters first predicted.

However, tonight may bring some of the toughest conditions yet seen, as high winds move over the region, officials said.

“We now think the worst of the wind will come between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.” Town of Monroe Supervisor Sandy Leonard said. “We are set to have another call at 9 p.m.”

Officials were told they may expect gusts to reach speeds as high as 70 miles per hour, Leonard said.

Leonard joined other local leaders in periodic calls with the county’s Department of Emergency Management at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. earlier today.

She said that forecasts of a storm surge of over ten feet had not materialized as of Monday evening. Hurricane Sandy also dropped less rain, making the storm waters easier for lake regions and other waterways to absorb, she said.

“So far there has been about two to four inches of rain, making it a much more manageable event,” she said.

High winds and wet conditions combined to topple trees and disturb electric service for many.

As of 6 p.m., Orange and Rockland Utility reported some 44 people were without power in Warwick, according to the company’s outage maps.