Bracing for Sandy: Town, county and state governments mobilize for response to ‘dangerous’ storm

As Hurricane Sandy churns in the Atlantic, expected to make landfall over the New Jersey coast some time tomorrow night, officials across the region are activating emergency operation plans in response to the storm.

The towns of Riverhead, Southold, Southampton and Brookhaven have all ordered mandatory evacuations of low-lying coastal areas.

Brookhaven and Southold officials said the mandatory evacuation applies to homes within the Category 1 flood zones. Riverhead and Southold described the evacuation areas in more general terms, listing the areas as “including but not limited to” certain roadways. Riverhead also issued a voluntary evacuation order for people who live in unstrapped mobile homes. See video.

A PDF of hurricane surge zones can be found here. For evacuation, shelter, storm, cancellation and closing information, click here.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today directed the New York Army and Air National Guard to mobilize in response to Hurricane Sandy, deploying 1,175 citizen soldiers and airmen to assist local authorities in responding to storm damage.

The New York National Guard has stocks of equipment set aside specifically for storms and is also prepared to deploy aircraft and satellite communications systems as needed, Cuomo said. The equipment includes more than 900 high-axle trucks and Humvees which can negotiate flooded areas, 11 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, two UH-72 Lakota light utility helicopters equipped with night vision equipment, and one CH-47 heavy lift helicopter available to respond, the governor said. The New York Air National Guard has C-130 cargo aircraft ready to fly if required, according to the governor.

The 106th Rescue Wing will have 50 airmen on duty at the Gabreski Air National Guard Base to handle missions on eastern Long Island and provide National Guard liaison officers to work with emergency management officials in Suffolk and Nassau counties. By 6 p.m. on Monday, a total of 250 Soldiers will be assigned to the Center in Farmingdale and 150 Airmen assigned at the Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

Shelters have been opened to accomodate residents who need a place to ride out the storm.

A shelter at Riverhead High School was opened this afternoon. After town officials decided to open the shelter even though Red Cross did not decide to open it, the Red Cross stepped in and said it would take command of the shelter.

Supervisor Sean Walter said the Red Cross decision was “a huge relief.” He said the town needed to have a shelter and was willing to try to go it alone, but was not fully prepared
to do so.

“We’re up and running,” Walter said this afternoon. A half dozen people showed up even before the shelter officially opened at 4 p.m., he said. Last year during Hurricane Irene, the Riverhead High School shelter housed about 300 people, according to the Red Cross.

Riverhead senior center staff are making breakfasts and sandwiches for 300 people, Walter said. Now that it has stepped in, the Red Cross will likely provide food and water, he said. People seeking shelter at the high school have been asked to bring their own provisions as well.

Volunteers from the North Shore Christian Church are making snacks and are bringing games and toys for children, Pastor Jerry Halpin said.

Nursing staff from Peconic Bay Medical Center and medical technicians from Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be at the shelter for the duration of its operation, Walter said.

Meanwhile, local firefighters are notifying residents in mandatory evacuation areas to leave their homes. But not all residents are complying. Flanders and Mattituck firefighters are going door to door and taking inventory of people who are electing to shelter in place despite orders to leave.

Officials warn that people who refuse to comply with evacuation orders will be on their own once the storm arrives. The lives of emergency personnel will not be risked to rescue people who refused to cooperate, authorities say.

Jamesport Second Assistant Chief John Andrejack said his department has notified residents in the Category 1 surge zone of the evacuation order. The department is fully stocked with medical supplies, and its equipment and manpower are ready. Firefighters will be standing by at headquarters, he said, for the duration of the storm. 

Cuomo ordered the MTA to implement a system-wide shutdown, suspending all subway, bus and railroad service as of 7 p.m. tonight.

Cross Sound Ferry suspended several crossings between Orient and New London this evening and canceled all departures for tomorrow.

Southwest Airlines has canceled all flights out of L.I. MacArthur Airport beginning this evening and continuing through Monday night at the earliest, the airline said in a statement. USAirways Express has canceled some but not all flights.

Suffolk County transit buses will cease operation as of 6 p.m. tonight.

Follow developments with the storm and emergency response on the RiveheadLOCAL LIVE news blog. 

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