An extreme threat level has been issued for the much of the Northeastern US so you should be making your final preparations for the impact we are due to expect this Sunday. Those living in coastal areas of the New York five boroughs and various southern areas of Long Island will most likely be evacuated by mid-day on Saturday and you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. Take a look at the list below and prepare your property as much as possible to decrease the destruction to your home or business.
Recommendations to Prepare Your Family and Property:
- Prepare a Hurricane Survival Kit–
Follow the link for a sample emergency kit–
Red Cross Hurricane Checklist - Put away or secure anything that can become a projectile in heavy winds-
Secure or bring inside items that will be blown around. (For example: bicycles, lawn furniture, toys, trash cans). - Clear debris from gutters.
- Trim dead tree branches that could fall during the storm.
- Anchor heavy objects that may float away, such as fuel tanks.
- Avoid driving in storm conditions-
If you must drive, avoid flooded streets, fallen wires and falling trees. - Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters– If you do not have hurricane shutters, you may want to close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
- Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
- Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
- Fill your car’s gas tank.
- Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan as well as an emergency communication plan. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
- Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for your pets to be cared for.
- Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
For up-to-date weather info, tune into www.weather.com.
For evacuation areas for NYC, check out this map.
*Be aware that New York City authorities plan to shut down transportation systems starting Saturday, according to the NY Daily News.
For evacuation information for Long Island, check out this article.
We hope that this information is helpful for you to plan during this Hurricane. Hopefully it will not be as bad as predicted but in case we get the brunt of what is coming, please be prepared for the worst. We care about our community and are deeply concerned with the threat the Hurricane Irene poses to our area. Stay safe.
