HURRICANE SEASON STARTS JUNE 1ST...Are You Ready?

Most of us who live in West Hempstead, Franklin Square and the surrounding areas on Long Island have never fully experienced the devastation of a hurricane. Even though we have experienced several occurrences of extremely severe weather, a hurricane of a class 3, 4 or 5 magnitude has never hit our community. Residents not only in our community but also in towns throughout the United States start to experience a "false sense of security" during hurricane season. "We have never been hit with a hurricane, so it will never happen." In order to prepare you and your family for a hurricane, we have prepared this pamphlet. The only way you will reduce the loss of property and possibly life is to use this information and not file it away. Remember that preparedness cannot change the probability or course of a hurricane, but if prepared, it can greatly reduce the loss of life and property. The hurricane season begins in June and ends in November. August and September are considered the peak periods for hurricanes on Long Island.  In order to be prepared for a hurricane or severe weather, the following information will be helpful in taking appropriate steps to protect your family and property. 

Tropical Depression: an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.

Tropical Storm: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34-63 knots).

Hurricane: an intense tropical weather system with a well-defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.

Storm Surge: a dome-like rise in the ocean level associated with a hurricane. Storm surge is the difference between this abnormal rise in sea level and the level that would normally occur.

Eyewall: The organized band of intense convection immediately surrounding the center or eye of a hurricane.  The strongest winds of a hurricane are usually in the eyewall.

Eye: The relatively calm center of a hurricane has weak winds.  Skies can appear partly cloudy to clear.  The average eye diameter is about 20 miles, though it can range from 5 to 60 miles.

Rain Bands: Air travels counter-clockwise around a hurricane in the Northern Hemisphere and often converges in narrow spiral bands of rain that extend away from the circulation center.  These are associated with very heavy rain and stronger winds than areas on either side of the band.

When a storm threatens your area, National Weather Service advisories are issued at six hour intervals—12:00 am, 6:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. These advisories are broadcast by the National Weather Service on weather radios on 162.55 MHz. Inexpensive radios can be purchased at local retailers. These reports are numbered consecutively for each storm and describe the present position, projected movement and intensity. Updated bulletins are often issued between regular advisories.  When you receive an advisory, note its number, the storm's position, intensity, and direction.  Position will be given by latitude and longitude numbers. The storm is located as far west in latitude number given, and as far north as the longitude number given. West Hempstead is located at latitude 40-45 degrees longitude of 73 degrees. Pay more attention to the direction the storm is moving and where it has been. Hurricanes can change course and direction quickly. 

Many things that we take for granted on a daily basis can and usually are rendered inoperative after a hurricane hits. Electricity, telephones, drinking water, air conditioning, life support equipment, cell phone, pagers can and have been rendered unusable after a hurricane. The loss of these services can last for as little as a few hours to several weeks.  When a hurricane watch is issued (usually 24-36 hours in advance) you should prepare by taking the following steps:

• Have a 10 day supply of batteries for a portable radio in order to receive emergency information as well as flashlights for each person in the house.
• Store drinking water in jugs and bottles. One gallon of water per person per five days. Fill your bathtub for washing and cleaning purposes only.
• Have 2 coolers. One with food and one with ice.
• Have a two week supply of prescription medication.
• Have extra cash on hand.
• A full first aid kit and a working fire extinguisher.
• Infant supplies, formula, medicine, diapers,etc
• A non electrical can opener.
• Toilet paper, paper towels, towelettes.
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to its highest setting.
• Have a ten day supply of nonperishable food.
• Make sure your car has a full tank of gas.
• Board up windows with plywood. Tape will not prevent a window from breaking.
• Secure outdoor objects that might blow away. This includes garbage cans, outdoor furniture and grills.
• Store propane tanks which are used for barbecuing in a secure location outside your house. The risk of fire is too great if they go inside.
• Make arrangements for the elderly and others who depend on electric for their life support devices by calling LIPA prior to a hurricane at 1-800-490-0025
• Pets are not allowed in public shelters.  Contact your veterinarian for more information on how to shelter your pet.
• Develop an emergency communication plan for keeping in contact. This is especially important for parents whose children could be in school.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact" for everyone to call.  Make sure every member of your family has their telephone number with them.
• If you have a basement, lift things as high off the floor as possible to reduce damage in case of flooding.
• Automobiles should be stored in your garage away from falling limbs and flying debris, but remember that with the possible loss of electricity you may not be able to open your garage door if it is operated by an electric door opener. Many electric openers have manual releases.
• If you are operating a portable generator, DO NOT do so it in a confined space like your garage or in your home where there is improper ventilation.
• DO NOT store fuel in your home.
• Clear loose & clogged gutters and downspouts.
• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed of dead branches.
• Place all valuables and important records in a waterproof container and store in the safest place in your home.

When a hurricane warning is issued (usually 24 hours in advance) all preparations should have already been completed.

• Do not use telephones unless you have an emergency.
• Avoid all downed utility lines. Assume all lines have live electricity.
• Do not sight-see. Stay out of disaster areas. Your presence could interfere with emergency operations. Only trained essential personnel (police, auxiliary police, firefighters, and utilities personnel) should be in the affected area.
• Do not drive unless you absolutely must. Many roads may have become impassable, and you could become stranded.
• Monitor local radio and television broadcasts for updated emergency instructions.

Please remember that during a disaster, all emergency service agencies are out throughout the community protecting life and property. Depending on the severity of your request, you may not see an immediate response. All requests are prioritized based on severity.