WABC-TV To Host AccuWeather Forum on Long Island

Just five years after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of New York and New Jersey, hurricanes are again making headlines with widespread destruction in the south. These storms highlight the fact that few things affect our day-to-day lives like weather. With these storms in mind and with winter weather right around the corner, WABC-TV has announced another of its popular community events. The station will hold an AccuWeather forum to explore how residents and businesses can better prepare for severe summer storms and winter weather that can destroy property, test our emergency response efforts, leave thousands without power and cripple mass transit.

The next forum will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19th in the Mack Student Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. Residents from throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties are encouraged to attend. Eyewitness News Meteorologists Lee Goldberg, Bill Evans, Jeff Smith and Amy Freeze will host the event and answer weather questions. PSE&H, the Long Island Contractors Association and the Association for a Better Long Island will also be in attendance.

Dave Davis, WABC-TV President and General Manager stated, “Recent storms leave no doubt about the impact weather can have on all of us. We believe that these forums will help increase awareness about the need to be prepared and alert residents to the many ways they can stay on top of any weather situation.”

Kyle Strober, executive director of the Association for a Better Long Island (ABLI) stated, “Sandy has taught us well and Harvey and Irma have dramatically reminded us of those lessons that require us to be prepared, be aware and be thoughtful as to how we will respond to the next hurricane. The problem is those lessons are too often forgotten. We need to understand that without constant vigilance we endanger ourselves, our families and our region.” The ABLI represents $15 billion in Long Island real estate.

“PSEG Long Island recognizes the devastating impacts that storms can have and continues to take steps to improve the resilience of the transmission and distribution system on Long Island, while further enhancing its storm response plan,” said Lou DeBrino, Manager, Emergency Preparedness PSEG Long Island. “Over the past few years, we have made great progress in hardening the system to better withstand the impacts of storms. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are always updating and refining our processes and improving our ability to effectively communicate with our customers when responding to storm events.”

The Long Island Contractors' Association (LICA) executive director, Marc Herbst, added, "This is an important community meeting for an issue that affects each and every one of us. With association members that literally dug the region out from Superstorm Sandy we know what a moderate storm can do to our region. One can't be too prepared for the next one."

Some of the topics to be discussed will be:

• Know the hurricane risks in your community and learn the storm surge history potential of your neighborhood.

• Learn the location of official shelters and safe routes to mid island evacuation centers.

• Ensure that enough non-perishable food and water supplies are on hand.

• Have at least a one week supply of medications on hand.

• Review your homeowner’s insurance policy so you know what is covered.

• Make plans now on what to do with your pets should you be required to evacuate your home.

• Have adequate batteries on hand to ensure you can receive emergency instructions in the event of a power outage.