Mayor: Prepare for Sandy, Monitor the Storm

Hurricane Sandy might be more than four days and more than 800 miles from the shoreline of Babylon Village, but Mayor Ralph Scordino said the village is already preparing for a potentially powerful storm.

"Right now, we're going to continue to monitor the storm," said Scordino. "Prepare yourselves – the best thing to do right now is to watch the TV and see where its going to go."

Scordino said the village highway crew was already preparing for storm damage by readying its chainsaws for downed trees and limbs and readying village trucks to brave the storm. The Fire Department is also getting firefighters prepared for potential rescues.

With the hurricane's exact storm track still up-in-the-air to meterologists at the National Weather Service, Scordino said there was no reason for panic. There are no plans – as of October 25th – to evacuate any residents from their homes, a move the village has not had to make since Hurricane Gloria in 1986 and did not make last year during Tropical Storm Irene.

"We take the lead from Suffolk County and the Town of Babylon," he told Patch. "If it gets close enough they will notify everyone about what they should do. We will obviously follow suit."

As with Irene last year, Sandy, or the nor'easter it will more closely resemble by the time it arrives in the Northeast, will still have the ability to dump large amounts of rain and produce winds estimated between 60 and 80 miles per hour. Village officials suggested the following during Irene:

• Have fashlights, battery operated radios and extra batteries on hand. Check batteries to make sure they are fresh.
• If your residence is in a potential flood or storm surge zone, be prepared to evacuate when officials recommend it.
• Arrange now for elderly and other with special needs, such as those who depend on electric life support devices. Alert LIPA customer service and sign up for LIPA’s Critical Care Program (1-800-490-0025)
• Have material available to protect your doors and windows.  Boarding or shuttering windows is most effective. Taping will not protect against flying debris.
• Put together a family hurricane evacuation kit that includes bottled water, bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows, and appropriate prescription medicines.
• Ensure that enough non-perishable food and water supplies are on hand.  One gallon of water per person per day is recommended.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Determine where to move a boat in an emergency, make sure boats are secured and checked during the storm.
• Provide for pets.
• Make sure all loose objects (patio furniture, garbage pails, etc.) are secured.
• Automobiles can be moved to municipal lots or Railroad Station parking at Locust Avenue with notification on dashboards.
• Stay away from downed power lines. Should you notice a downed line or experience a service interruption call 1-800-490-0075.
• If you have any questions or concerns please call the Mayor’s office at 631-669-1212.