Hurricane Earl Gaining Momentum

As September rolls in so does peak hurricane season.

Hurricane Earl is gaining momentum in the southeast coastal region and has been dubbed the second major hurricane of the 2010 season, just behind Hurricane Danielle.

Though Mineola is not in its direct path, the storm could bring driving rain and strong winds come Friday.

The National Hurricane Center  predicts that Earl's center will pass near or over the northernmost Virgin Islands Monday afternoon or evening. The storm is expected to turn northwest on Tuesday, the center said.

Earl grew into a Category 3 hurricane Monday morning, and could affect areas in the United States from the Carolinas to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, over Labor Day weekend, said CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras.

"It is too soon to tell whether the storm could make landfall," Jeras said. "However, outer bands of the storm are likely to hit North Carolina beginning Thursday, kicking up large swells and possibly generating rip currents through Labor Day weekend," Jeras added.

In July, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), National Grid, Red Cross, New York State officials and the Offices of Emergency Management of Nassau and Suffolk counties conducted a hurricane drill, as they do every year to prepare for such significant weather events.

LIPA president Kevin Law said it's not a matter of "if" but "when" a hurricane will hit the region after studying recent summer weather patterns.

Commissioner of Nassau County Office of Emergency Services Jim Callahan added that Long Island is "long overdue" for a hurricane, noting that every 17 years, one should hit the island. The last hurricane that made landfall in Nassau County, however, was a category one named "Gloria" back in 1985.

There are several easy but important steps residents can do to prepare themselves for the season. According to the National Weather Service's hurricane preparations and precautions checklist, a family disaster plan checklist is a must:

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home, but within your community.
• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
• Check your insurance coverage. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners' insurance.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.

The Red Cross advises that two disaster preparedness kits are ideal ­– one for home and one to take with you as a "go bag" during evacuation. Include in your disaster preparedness kit:

• Water – at least one gallon per person per day
• Food – Non-perishable items you'd want to eat – such as canned food (and a manual can opener), energy bars peanut butter and other nutritious foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
• First Aid Kit – Pack a "how to" guide as well.
• Medications – Essential prescription and non-prescription items and medical information.
• Crank radio and flashlight or battery-powered radio and flashlight (with extra batteries), and a 12-hour glow stick.
• Clothing – A change of clothes, rainwear, sturdy shoes and protective gloves for everyone.
• Personal items – Remember specific items such as eye glasses or contact lenses and solution, personal care and hygiene items, extra (charged) cell phone batteries and comfort items such as toys or books.
• Money – Have cash. ATMs and credit cards won't work if the power is out.
• Important family documents in a waterproof, portable container – Copies of drivers' licenses, wills, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, proof of residence (deed or lease), recent tax returns, credit card and bank account numbers, social security cards, passport numbers, home inventory list.
• Special items for infants, elderly, pets or loved ones with special needs.
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)