HURRICANES

Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

BEFORE

• Plan an evacuation route.
  • Contact the Village Emergency Management Office or Nassau County American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
  • Learn the Hurricane Evacuation Routes.
    Peninsula Blvd and Long Beach Road northbound.
    Be ready to drive to shelters inland, or to a safe place north of Sunrise Highway.

• Have disaster supplies on hand.
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
  • First aid kit and manual
  • Emergency food and water
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Essential medicines
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Sturdy shoes
• Make arrangements for pets.
  • Pets are not allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.
• Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.
  • Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or the East Rockaway Fire Department 599-4400 and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• Protect your windows.
  • Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood--marine plywood is best--cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
• Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
• Check into flood insurance.
  • You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or the Village Building Department 887-6309. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
• Develop an emergency communication plan.
  • In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

 

HURRICANE WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A HURRICANE WATCH is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.

A HURRICANE WARNING is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.

 

TROPICAL CYCLONES

Tropical Depressions are storms with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 mph. Once the tropical cyclone reaches more then 39 mph it is given a name and called a tropical storm. When the wind reaches 74 mph, it is called a hurricane.

The Saffir-Simpson scale is a 1 - 5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a landfalling hurricane. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf off Long Island. The location, speed, and direction of the hurricane's track plays an important part in storm surge and the amount of coastal flooding. Category five hurricanes are not able to be supported by the atmosphere this far north. They have winds of more then 155 mph.

CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE

Winds 74 - 95 mph
Storm surge 4-5 feet above the normal tide.
Minor to moderate coastal flooding. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to shrubbery and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs.

CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE

Winds 96 - 110 mph
Storm surge 6 - 8 feet above the normal tide.
Major coastal flooding. Flooding may arrive 2 - 4 hours before the hurricane center. Some roofing material, door and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees, with some trees being blown down.

CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE

Winds 111 - 130 mph
Storm surge 10 - 13 feet above normal tides.
Major coastal flooding in areas far from the shore. Structures near the water may move off their foundations. Boats will be lifted above docks and may sink as the surge recedes. Major to moderate structural damage to buildings, with utility buildings blown down. Considerable damage to shubbery and trees with foliage blown off of trees and large trees blown down. Debris will become airborne causing additional damage to windows, vehicles, and structures.

CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE

Winds 131 - 155 mph
Storm surge 14 - to more then 20 feet above normal tides.
Flooding will be extensive. Structures may fail from flood waters. Boats will break lines or sink. Structures and trees may be blown down with vehicles overturned. Buildings can be destroyed by flying debris. Window failures will allow the interior of buildings to be blown apart.

 

DURING A HURRICANE WATCH

• Listen to a battery-operated radio, Channel 12, or The Weather Channel, for hurricane progress reports.
• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows.
• Remove outside antennas.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.
  
• Review evacuation plan.
• Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tie-downs to anchor trailer to the ground or house.

 

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio, Channel 12 or Weather Channel for official instructions. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. Avoid elevators.

If at home:

• Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
• Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.

If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:

• Leave as soon as possible.
  
• Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
• Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
• If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
• Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing.
• Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
• Lock up your home and leave.

 

AFTER THE STORM

• Stay tuned to local radio for information.
• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
• Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to LIPA, Nassau County Police, or the East Rockaway Fire Department.
• Enter your home with caution.
• Beware of rodents, insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Use telephone only for emergency calls.

INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME

Check for gas leaks--If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the Brookyln Union and the East Rockaway Fire Department 599-4400 from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. Look for electrical system damage--If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, STOP! Call the East Rockaway Fire Department 599-4400 and then call an electrician for advice. Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the Long Island Water Company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

MITIGATION

Mitigation includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduces the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in preventive mitigation steps now such as strengthening unreinforced masonry to withstand wind and flooding and installing shutters on every window will help reduce the impact of hurricanes in the future. For more information on mitigation, contact the Village Building Department.