Hurricane Irene is getting closer and may be forcing people out of their homes. Voluntary evacuations have already been put in order. Mandatory evacuations may be announced anytime between now and Sunday so make sure you are prepared, have somewhere to go, and follow the correct evacuation routes. A concern from most on Long Islanders is…
How will I know when to evacuate?
Nassau County has installed an Emergency Notification System that will allow the County to call the home phones of residents in an effected area within a very short time. “We will be able to call any land line telephone within a given area and send a recorded message with instructions. It is important that if you have caller ID and see a call from “Nassau County” that you answer the call to get timely information.”
How do I evacuate?
If instructed by emergency officials, it is important to do so immediately. Flooding and high winds can causes damage long before the hurricane makes landfall. You should go to a friend or family members house, or outside the evacuation zone area as soon as possible. To avoid being trapped by flooded roads, washed-out bridges or disruptions to mass transportation, evacuees should plan their mode of transportation with special care and follow it out as soon as possible. Here are the evacuation routes for Long Island:
ROUTE 1
Starting at the Atlantic Beach Bridge
ROUTE 2
Starting at the Long Beach Bridge
ROUTE 3
Starting at Lido Blvd
ROUTE 4
Starting at Merrick Road
ROUTE 5
Away from Hampton Roads
Where do I go after I evacuated?
Be sure to plan ahead and know where you are going and how to get there. If you are traveling to a friend or family members, use the designated evacuation route and leave yourself enough time to travel. If you need to evacuate and have no where to go, there are shelters being opened throughout the island.
- CW Post College
- Farmingdale High School
- Farmingdale Weldon Howitt
- Floral Park Sewanhaka High School
- Garden City High School
- Glen Cove High School
- Glen Head North Shore Senior High School
- Great Neck John Miller High School
- Great Neck South High School
- Hicksville High School
- Levittown Division Ave. High School
- Levittown Memorial High School
- Locust Valley High School
- Manhasset High School
- Massapequa McKenna Elementary School
- Mineola High School
- Nassau Community College
- New Hyde Park High School
- Plainview JFK High School
- Plainview Old Bethpage Middle School
- Port Washington Paul Schreiber High School
- SUNY Old Westbury
- SUNY Farmindale
- Wantagh High School
- Westbury High School
During an emergengcy situation, phone call volume is heavy. Remember to only call “911” for emergency situations only. Here are the non emergency contact numbers from Nassau and Suffolk county:
Nassau County Non Emergency #:1-888-684-4274
Suffolk County Non Emergency #: 1-631-852-2677
Remember when emergency evacuations are issued, you should evacuate. We don’t know how strong Hurricane Irene will be, but it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Check out cell phone communication tips and survival kit lists to prepare for Hurricane Irene.
* Thanks for the information from our guest blogger, Meghan Dolce.
