Hurricane Earl Gaining Momentum

As September rolls in so does hurricane season. Hurricane Earl is gaining momentum toward the southeast coastal region and has been dubbed the second major hurricane of the 2010 season, just behind Hurricane Danielle. As of 3 p.m., the eye of the storm was passing just north of the British Virgin Islands and traveling west-northwest at 15 mph.

Suffolk County and the Town of Islip are preparing for Earl as well as the remainder of Hurricane Season and with Sayville located in an area prone to flooding, certain precautions need to be taken.

"We are monitoring Hurricane Earl since it became a Tropical storm," said Rick Gimbl, Director of Emergency Management for the Town of Islip. "The Supervisor and myself met with all Commissioners in the Town government to discuss our plans for the upcoming storm. We are in contact with Suffolk County Emergency Management and are working together on a worst-case scenario for the planning process."

He added that the town's Emergency Operations Center is constantly monitoring the hurricanes, tropical storms and local weather.

"We are pro-active when it comes to weather, and other types of events that may impact our normal day infrastructure," added Gimbl.

At the county level, the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management (FRES) has implemented a 120-hour plan. "This plan includes conference calls with the National Weather Service, New York State Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)," said FRES Commissioner Joseph Williams, who encourages residents who experience flooding in their basements during normal rain to stay with relatives or friends who do not live in a flood zone. "We expect that most people will 'shelter in place' (stay home)."

In the event of evacuation, FRES has identified numerous shelters on Long Island. In Sayville, all five schools are marked as shelters and residents should seek shelter there if required.

"If needed, we will open some of our shelters on Thursday," said Williams. "South Shore shelters usually open first since they usually get hit the hardest." Although the county has 127 shelters located throughout Suffolk, not all will be available. Information on shelters is available on the Suffolk County FRES website.

Suffolk County also provides assistance to those with special needs as part of their Joint Emergency Evacuation Program (JEEP). However, one must sign up for JEEP, which can be done by calling the county's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at 852-4900. For those with special needs who are not yet part of the program, information and assistance can be obtained in an emergency by calling 852-COPS.

"There are 500 people signed up right now and we will start checking with those people on Wednesday," said Williams, who urged residents who are looking for help to avoid calling 911, unless it is an absolute emergency.

"Shelters are used depending on how the storm hits and when," said Liz Barker, Director of Emergency Services for the Suffolk County Chapter of the American Red Cross. "Suffolk County makes the call on who needs to be evacuated and it depends on the time the hurricane comes in, storm surge and wind strength. They are all determining factors."

Barker said that anyone located south of Montauk Highway is prone to flooding due to storm surge and suggested that if flooding does occur, residents should turn off their electricity and contact their gas provider to determine how to shut off gas.

To prepare for Earl, the American Red Cross suggests bringing in anything that can be picked up by the wind including bicycles and lawn furniture. Also, the group suggests having enough food and water for three days and seven days worth of medication. The Red Cross offers a checklist, which can be viewed here.

For those residents on Fire Island, in the next 48-hours FRES will be meeting with ferry companies, Fire Island fire departments and the Suffolk County Marine Bureau to discuss the possible evacuation of Fire Island. "Residents of Fire Island can expect to hear information about evacuation sometime on Thursday if such a measure is required," said FRES Commissioner Joseph Williams.