What You Need to Know for Hurricane Sandy

Although Hurricane Sandy's trajectory is still unknown, Babylon Town officials are urging all residents to be prepared, as the storm is expected to hit Long Island on Monday.

Here’s what Babylon residents need to know:

• Expect flooding Due to the timing of the storm and predicted precipitation levels, we are expecting a great deal of flooding in the low-lying areas of the Town of Babylon. If you live in a flood-prone area, please consider moving your vehicles and other valuables to higher ground, turning off your main circuit breakers and possibly making plans to stay with friends or relatives in another area.

• Stay informed Pay attention to news reports for the latest information on the storm’s path and recommendations from local authorities. The Town will post any relevant updates in the “In the News” section of www.townofbabylon.com

• Shelter information Shelters will be run by the Red Cross, who will distribute relevant information. Check Suffolk County’s website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov for the latest on which shelters will be open and operating.

• Reporting downed trees If a Town tree or limb has fallen, please call the Town of Babylon at 311 or 957-TOWN (957-8696) to report it.

•Reporting power outages/power line issues Residents should call LIPA directly to report any issues with their electric. The number to call is 1-800-490- 0075. Residents should never touch a downed wire. Assume all wires are LIVE, no matter what it looks like.

• Garbage service may be affected As of right now, we are assuming garbage service will proceed as normal on Monday morning. However, due to the extreme weather conditions, it may be impossible for garbage trucks to complete their routes. If possible, try to avoid putting garbage out Monday or Tuesday morning, in case of disrupted service.

• Remove boats from the water Residents who have boats are urged to remove them this weekend, before the storm hits.

• Make sure gutters are clean Residents should remove leaves and other debris from their gutters this weekend, as we are expecting large amounts of rainfall that will cause full gutters to back up or get damaged.

As with any storm, the safest thing to do is to stay informed and be prepared. Town officials urge residents to use this weekend to prepare for this serious storm.

*Prepared by the Town of Babylon.