Suffolk County, NY - May 16, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recently reminded residents to make necessary preparations for the upcoming hurricane season as well as the potential impact of tropical cyclone threats. In Suffolk County, hurricane season runs from June through November.
“The safety of our residents is our utmost priority in Suffolk County, and the unpredictable months during hurricane season are no exception,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. "The trained and dedicated professionals in our Office of Emergency Management are always reviewing and improving our emergency operations to ensure that we are able to communicate the most up-to-date information to our residents during the most critical moments.”
“A key component to ensure safety throughout hurricane season in a coastal community is having a strong personal preparedness plan in place,” said Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Joe Williams. "Now is really the best time for residents to create a hurricane preparedness plan and ensure that you and your family are best equipped to remain safe during this unpredictable time of year."
Last week, the County Executive attended the 2017 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Awareness Tour at Long Island MacArthur Airport. The event featured various hurricane experts including National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb, hurricane hunter mission specialist Warren Madden, and United States Air Force and NOAA crew members. Staff from county and local emergency management offices, non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross, and personnel from the Upton, NY NOAA National Weather Service forecast office were also in attendance. The event concluded with onboard tours of a USAF Reserve WC-130 hurricane hunter aircraft and the NOAA G-IV aircraft.
Forecasting hurricanes and coastal storms are an important part of the Suffolk County's preparation and response to an approaching storm. The County coordinates with federal, state and local planning partners, including all towns and villages, to ensure streamlined planning efforts. The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management also maintains a stockpile of critical emergency supplies such as Meals Ready to Eat, bottled water, generators, and cots for sheltering. Residents can also sign up to receive CodeRed notifications, which allows Suffolk County to rapidly communicate emergency messaging to the public. Residents interested in signing up for CodeRed notifications and to create a safety profile should visit the OEM tab at www.suffolkcountyny.gov.
Residents living in a flood zone should be prepared to evacuate and follow the direction of authorities in the event of an emergency.
For more information on Suffolk County’s hurricane preparedness measures, residents can call the Suffolk County OEM at (631) 852-4904. To see if you live in a flood zone, please visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov and search the Shelter & Storm Surge Mapping Tool.