ABOUT MAHOPACALERTS - 

A BRIEF HISTORY

The social media account was created in late 2016 by Ryan Hanrahan, a Mahopac High School 2020 graduate, with an intent to showcase weather-related updates to a select group of students. During the 2017-2018 school year, popularity of the account began to pick up steam and continues to grow via word-of-mouth and followers sharing the posts to families and friends. 

Ryan continues to run the account to this day (now 2026). The account now includes about 20-22 schools and districts within Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. Recognizing the flaws of technology, the account has also expanded onto the Facebook and X platforms for those who do not utilize Instagram as well as continuing on Snapchat for friends/peers only in the event the primary Instagram account is inadvertently shut down or removed.

During the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 school years, MahopacAlerts provided updates with respect to COVID-19, including pivoting school schedules to meet rising infection rates and policy decisions dictated by the Governor/Health Department/NYSED. MahopacAlerts also advocated to elected officials for the return of regular sports seasons and metrics to remove masking requirements in schools.

During the 2021-2022 school year, MahopacAlerts constructed a Google site to permanently publish school-related information, including district calendars for all 20+ schools/districts, Regents information, and more! The site you are viewing this message from was created for the 2022-2023 school year and now hosts information for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.

Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, MahopacAlerts will create a Board of Account Ambassadors, which are volunteer positions intended to give high school seniors an opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes operations of MahopacAlerts as well as give input on various projects (ie. most recently, the new logo design). The Ambassadors do not have a time commitment and is completely voluntary. Two new paid positions, the Chief Assistant & Communications Officer (CACO) and Chief Inclement Weather Officer (CIWO) will work on a variety of tasks, behind-the-scenes, with the Director (Ryan) on key aspects of the account. You can find more information on the Board, CACO, and CIWO in the menu tabs above.

The Board of Account Ambassadors for MahopacAlerts was a pilot program and ceased during the 2024-2025 school year.

Ryan would like to thank a variety of contributors and supporters, including his parents first and foremost, the students, parents, and communities who put their trust in his snow day predictions and news, and teachers, including Ms. Myler, Ms. Macchio, Mr. Finnerty, and Mr. Revenson to name a few.

Ryan would also like to thank the following individuals/groups/businesses/organizations for their following (amongst others):

• the Mahopac Central School District

• Superintendent of the Mahopac CSD Mr. Vincent DiGrandi

• former Superintendent of the Mahopac CSD Mr. Frank Miele

• former Superintendent of the Mahopac CSD Ms. Christine Tona

• Mahopac Teachers' Association

• Mahopac Special Education PTO (SEPTO)

• Carmel Teachers' Association

• Superintendent of the Brewster CSD Dr. Michelle Gosh

• Brewster Teachers' Association

• the Putnam Valley Central School District

• the Lakeland Central School District

• the Mount Pleasant Central School District 

• former Superintendent of the North Salem CSD Mr. Kenneth Freeston

• the Haldane Central School District

• Putnam County Government

• Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne (former Assemblyman)

• the Putnam County Sheriff's Office

• the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department

• the Kent Volunteer Fire Department

• Assemblyman Matt Slater (former Yorktown Town Supervisor)

• GameDay One (Kevin Devaney Jr.)

• Lee Goldberg (ABC7NY meteorologist & Somers resident)

• LOHUD 

• Somers Football

• Valhalla Football

• Mahopac Varsity Basketball, Hockey, Swim, Cheerleading, Softball, Wrestling, Marching Band, Girls' Lacrosse

• Top Level Sports (in Mahopac)

• Various coaches and athletic directors

• YMCA Camp Combe (in Putnam Valley)

• Camp Floradan (in Putnam Valley)

• Mahopac Public Library

• Paterson Public Library

• Kent Public Library

• & all of the other local businesses and organizations!

MAHOPACALERTS ACCOUNT DISCLAIMER