Hurricane Earl Heading North

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Earl is currently swirling in the Caribbean and expected to become a major storm in the next 24-hours. Monday's forecasts are predicting that Earl could make an appearance east of or near Long Island, including Sayville, on Friday.

The Sayville Fire Department stresses that it is important to plan an evacuation with your family and offers some tips:

• Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places – a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
• Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
• Listen to local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

The Fire Department also recommends taking important documents with you, including driver's license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates and tax records.

Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management (SCOEM) recommends assembling a Hurricane Safety Kit and including essential medications, a fire extinguisher, canned food and a can opened, bottled water, protective clothing, rainwear, blankets, extra batteries, battery-powered radio and a flashlight. The office also suggests including instructions on how to turn off your home's utilities in the kit. Also, fill your car with gas in case you need to make a quick evacuation.

The Suffolk County Chapter of the Red Cross sells kits that are already prepared and contain the items needed during a disaster or emergency situation. See their website for more information.

It is important to become familiar with terms associated with a hurricane. According to SCOEM, a hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets for the latest developments.

A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately.

The eye of a hurricane is the calm center of the storm. The worst parts of a hurricane come just before and after the eye has passed over your area.