Mangano Issues Storm Surge Warning For Residents Living in Flood Prone Areas

With Tropical Storm Hermine tracking toward Long Island, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has issued a storm surge warning for residents living in flood prone areas and tropical storm warning for all residents. (For continued updates on the storm, including news on power outages and road closures, sign up for Patch news alerts here.)

According to the National Weather Service, flooding will likely occur on Sunday and Monday at high tide and could result in 2 to 4 feet of flood waters.

To learn high tide times for your location, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/hurricane.

Nassau County officials advise citizens residing at or near shorelines to prepare as they may be asked to evacuate their homes.

The Nassau County Office of Emergency Management has outlined evacuations routes from Coastal Evacuation Areas.

Residents should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and secure their property. To review Coastal Evacuation Areas, evacuation routes or learn additional hurricane preparedness information, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/OEM.

If you are advised to evacuate, officials say you should:

• Contact a friend or family member that lives outside the zone and make arrangements as this provides the most comfortable way to weather a severe storm.
• Bring your Emergency Go-Kit.
• Turn off all utilities.
• Take your most reliable vehicle and avoid taking multiple vehicles that create gridlock

Items to stock up on:

• Build an emergency kit consisting of: one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3-7 days, non-perishable food, medications, copies of important family documents, a first aid kit, a flashlight and extra batteries.
• Fill the gas tanks of your vehicles.
• Have formula for infants and needed nutritional supplements.
• Blankets and pillows packed in plastic bags.
• Prescription medications.
• Flashlights and battery operated radios.
• Keep cell phone chargers dry and accessible.
• First aid kit.
• Toiletries.
• Cash.
• Tools.
• Food for your pets and secure their medical information.

Things to do before a storm:

• Place important documents in waterproof sealed plastic bags.
• Trim trees and shrubs around your home so they are more wind resistant.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Buy plywood or other materials to protect your home.
• Review your insurance policy.
• Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, garage or near a window.

How to stay safe during a storm:

• Make a communication plan with your family: Ask a non-local relative or friend to be the "family contact" in case your family gets separated. Make sure all family members know the name, address, and phone number of this contact person. Have a plan to reach family members and have a meeting place.
• Determine safe evacuation routes inland.
• Learn locations of official shelters.

Useful links:

• Nassau County
• Nassau County Disaster Checklist
• Nassau County Emergency Notification Sign Up
• Nassau County Hurricane Evacuation Routes
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• New York State Emergency Management Office
• American Red Cross
• National Organization on Disability’s Emergency Preparedness Initiative
• New York Tide Tables & Tide Charts
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Weather Service
• National Hurricane Center
• Federal Family and Partners Continue to Support States Impacted by Sandy
• Forms and Files To Assist with Project Worksheet Development
• Home Inspection Preparation Information
• New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• PSEG Storm and Power Outage Information

Nassau residents are also asked to sign up for “Smart911” – which allows citizens to create a free safety profile for their household at www.Smart911.com, which is accessible by 911 call takers in the event of an emergency.

Photo: NOAA