Northern Westchester Enacts Hurricane Safety Procedures
Northern Westchester communities are implementing plans to address the anticipated potential impacts of Hurricane Irene.
“We don’t yet know how hard the storm will hit our area, but we will all make it through comfortably if we stay informed, and be prepared for all contingencies,” said Ossining Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia.
Yorktown Town Supervisor Susan Siegel agreed. She said that her office has been working the highway, environmental and police departments to coordinate an action plan.
Today a generator is being brought down to the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center. The center will be used as a shelter is there is a mass power outage.
A second emergency generator will be brought to town hall on Monday if the building is still without electricity.
In addition the highway department has prepared trucks with horses in the event roads have to be blocked and the tree trimming equipment has all been readied, the supervisor reported. Sandbags and other rubber “bags” have been put in place in critical equipment areas such as sewer pump stations that have a history of flooding.
The police department will be the emergency command center during the storm and all key communications will emanate from there. In the event of major power outages, the command center will be in contact with both Con Ed and NYSEG. The police chief will determine when the shelter will be open.
Although the police will be in contact with Con Ed and NYSEG, residents who lose power should notify the utility companies directly, and not the police department
All of the municipalities are working with the county government who has created the page: http://www3.westchestergov.com/news/2796-hurricane-update-and-preparedness, to keep the public updated.
Residents are urged to take steps to prepare for this storm. Recommended precautions to take before the storm include:
- Bring inside all loose objects from your yard, porch or terrace, including yard furniture;
- Secure your doors and windows;
- Stay tuned to local news sources for word on the storm’s timing and severity, and possible evacuation orders;
- Check on relatives, friends and neighbors with disabilities or special needs;
- Make sure you have on hand plenty of bottled water (1 gallon per person, per day), nonperishable food and plenty of batteries for all of your flashlights and portable radios;
- Make sure valuables are secured in waterproof containers;
- Pack a “Go Bag” and bedding in case you need to evacuate;
- Keep friends and family notified of your whereabouts if you choose to leave your home;
- Make sure you have supplies for your pets, infants and chronically ill family members.
Pack a go-bad in case you need to evacuate. Items in the bag should include:
- Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo ID’s, proof of address, etc.
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Copies of credit/ATM cards and $50-$100 cash in small denominations
- Bottled water and nonperishable food such as energy or granola bars
- Flashlight
- Battery operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
- Up-to-date medication information and other essential personal items. Keep a list of the medications each member of your household taxes, why they take them, and their dosages, Also include all doctors’ names and phone numbers
- First aid kit
- Contact and meeting place information for your household and a small regional map
- Child care supplies.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.