Rock Slides Lead to State of Emergency in Ulster County

Officials in Ulster County declared a "State of Emergency" due to "Imminent Danger" over rock slides.

On Monday, officials from Kingston declared a "State of Emergency" in the hamlet of East Kingston. The State of Emergency was declared due to the "Imminent Danger" posed to the public and public property by rockslides on a parcel of property owned by Tilcon Minerals and operated by Callanan Industries, officials say.

"This situation threatens the public safety," Chief Executive of the Town of Ulster James E. Quigley said. "I hereby direct all departments and agencies of the Town of Ulster to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary."

A major rockslide occurred on July 25 and what's described as a minor rockslide happened in mid-August on Main Street, in the hamlet of East Kingston between the intersection of Railroad Avenue and East Kingston Firehouse at 885 Main Street.

"The rockslides appear to have been caused by the collapse of a historic cement mine opening (cave) on quarry property. These mine openings (caves) were created in the late 1800's by the extraction of cement rock," Town of Ulster Supervisor James Quigley said in a statement.

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The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days or until the issues are fixed.

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