Mangano Announces Mandatory Evacuation of North Shore’s Low-Lying Coastal Areas

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has ordered the mandatory evacuation of all residents on the county’s North Shore who reside in low-lying areas and storm surge zones.   specified which areas in the town were of particular concern.

“In our town, the areas include parts of Manorhaven, Port Washington North, Manhasset Isle, and residents that live along Shore Road along Manhasset Bay,” Kaiman said.

“If you live in an area where in the past the waters from Manhaset Bay have risen onto your property you are in such a storm surge area and must evacuate by 5 p.m. Saturday evening,” he added.

"It is expected that our area will experience winds of 55 miles per hour or more beginning at 5 a.m. Sunday morning,” he said.

With the storm expected to hit Sunday, NorthShoreAlert, a mass communication system, sent out a message to subscribers about the evacuation.

“The peak of the storm will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., peaking around 11 a.m.,” said Peter Forman, commissioner of the Port Washington-Manhasset Office of Emergency Management, responsible for NorthShoreAlert.

“The Long Island Sound in the area of the Port Washington peninsula is particularly narrow, especially at the point between Manhasset Bay and New Rochelle,” Forman said. “A storm like Irene pushes the water and causes it to pile up in the western portion of the Sound and then spills over on to land.”

He added: “We actually may have higher storm surges than the South Shore.”

Forman noted that the timing and wind speed predictions are subject to constant change. 

Earlier in the afternoon, Bob Weitzner, mayor of the Village of Port Washington North, sent out a message to residents via NorthShoreAlert. 

“We feel our low lying areas along Harbor Road and Mill Pond should consider leaving their homes during the storm due to the potentially dangerous storm surge that is expected Saturday into Sunday,” he said in the message. “Please make all necessary arrangements for a quick evacuation if needed.” He added that residents of Smull Place should also consider leaving. 

Residents should try to evacuate to the homes of family and friends, if possible, according to NorthShoreAlert. Currently  is a designated shelter. 

Residents are asked not to contact the Port Washington Police. Instead, call 311, the Town of North Hempstead's call center, and sign up for NorthShoreAlert.