Earl Could Bring 45 mph Wind Gusts to Sayville

Residents have been preparing for Hurricane Earl all week and the height of the storm is expected to reach Sayville around 8 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Sayville and all of Southwest Suffolk County, which remains in effect.

According to Rick Gimbl, Director of Emergency Management for the Town of Islip, winds are expected to be sustained at 38 mph and gusts could reach 40-45 mph.

As of 2 p.m., Earl, a Category 1 storm with 80 mph winds, was headed north-northeast at 21 mph and located 290 miles south-southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

The Sayville Fire Department (SFD) is ready for the storm. According to Wendy Liu, Public Information Officer for the SFD, the fire apparatus and bus are fueled up and in working order, saws and equipment are ready for use, the boat is secured, one additional dispatcher has been added and pantries at both stations are stocked. 

For safety reasons, the Long Island Railroad has suspended service east of Speonk on the Montauk Branch and east of Ronkonkoma on the Main Line, which normally takes customers to Greenport and Long Island's North Fork. LIRR service west of Ronkonkoma and west of Speonk will operate on a normal schedule.

Long Island MacArthur Airport will remain open today and runways will be available for general aviation aircraft, as well as commercial carriers. Southwest Airlines has canceled all flights after 5 p.m. and US Airways has indicated a plan to continue operations as long as weather conditions permit. The airport is advising travelers to check with their carrier.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and the Suffolk County Police Department recently reminded residents that during severe weather conditions, it is extremely important to use 911 only for true emergencies. Residents are advised to call their local precinct or (631) 852-COPS to report non-emergency situations to police.

As the storm approaches, LIPA suggests residents take the following steps to prepare for the arrival of either a hurricane or tropical storm.

• Never touch or go near fallen wires, even if you think they are safe.
• Make sure you have a working, battery powered radio or TV and a good supply of fresh replacement batteries. Have flashlights available for all family members.
• If an electric pump supplies your water, fill spare food-grade containers with water for cooking and washing in anticipation of a possible power interruption.
• Make sure all motor driven equipment, such as garage door openers, can be operated manually.
• When using a portable generator, make sure all LIPA-powered equipment is disconnected. This will avoid severe hazards when reconnecting the power to your home or business.
• Have a first aid kit at home and check its contents to make sure they are complete and up to date. If you have family members with special medical needs, such as insulin or other prescription drugs, check to make sure you have an adequate supply.
• Do not use charcoal to cook indoors: deadly carbon monoxide gas can accumulate in your home.
• If you have an elderly neighbor, check on his or her status. Even a quick telephone call during a storm can provide much appreciated assurance that help is nearby if needed.
• Should an electric power interruption occur, all sensitive equipment, such as computers and TV's should be disconnected until service is restored.

To report or check on a power outage, call the Long Island Power Authority's storm center at either 1 (800) 490-0075 or (631) 755-6900. Calls regarding a downed power line should be reported to 911.

Check back with Sayville Patch for updates.