Mineola Declares Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Sandy

The Village of Mineola has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Sandy. The official declaration came on Friday night and was made to enable the village to make better preparations and would assist in response to the storm according to an e-mail sent by the village.

All residents and businesses must remove their cars from the streets no later than 8 a.m. on Monday, October 29, in order to allow public safety and emergency crews to respond to emergency situations and downed power lines.

Among the many steps taken, village departments prepared heavy equipment, trucks, generators, pumps, and tree cutting and debris removal equipment, making sure that all were in peak working condition. Extra stores of fuel, oil, and water were also secured in anticipation of round-the-clock response needs. In addition to standard emergency response planning, the village has also taken steps to have supplemental rented equipment on hand to allow extra crews to respond to hurricane related emergencies.

Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss said on Thursday that he would be spending the weekend fielding phone calls with representatives from both the state and the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management through the weekend in preparation for the storm.

“We’re ready to handle whatever comes at us,” he said.

On Monday village offices closed early due to the storm and the village justice court has also been cancelled for Monday night.

The latest weather reports tracking Hurricane Sandy indicate that Mineola can expect to experience the impacts of Hurricane Sandy regardless of where the hurricane may eventually reach landfall. Sustained strong wind and heavy rains are likely.

LIPA has advised Long Island customers that they should prepare for power outages lasting up to 7-10 days in some areas.

Residents are asked to not rake or blow leaves and debris into streets since it may clog storm drains causing localized flooding and to not put trash to the curb for collection until regular garbage pick-up as cans and bags can become airborne during a hurricane.

The following guidelines are provide for your assistance:

Planning

In a situation where you are faced with the effects of a hurricane, fire, flood, winter storm or chemical emergency the following planning steps should be taken by you and your family:

• Create a family plan including establishing a family meeting place should you become separated
• Develop a family communications plan
• Identify a friend, relative, or hotel/motel in a safe area where you can stay if ordered to evacuate; shelters should be used as a last resort
• Collect and assemble disaster supplies
• Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards
• Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes
• Include in your plan required information from community and school plans
• Inventory, document, and photograph items in your residence

Home

A home emergency plan for you and your family should include a communication system, disaster supply kits, and a meeting place. It is recommended that you identify a friend or family member outside of the state you live in as an emergency contact. Should local communications systems malfunction as a result of a disaster, the out-of-town contact can serve as the primary communication source for your family. Everyone in the family should have the contact number of the point person.

At times, disasters strike when most family members are not at home. For this reason, you should establish a meeting place and procedure. Be sure all family members know the address and how to get there. Allow time for reunions to occur.

In certain situations, you may be faced with the need to evacuate your home. If evacuating, be sure to:

• Listen to local radio or television for instructions
• Shut off water, gas, and electricity prior to leaving
• Leave a note behind telling other family members when you left and where you went
• Place plastic bags over TVs, computers, and other electronics
• Follow the routes specified by emergency personnel
• Take pets with you or make arrangements for the boarding of your pets
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and check oil, water, and tires prior to evacuating
• Take disaster supply kit with you

Get a Kit

Disaster Survival Kit

Whether sheltering in-place or evacuating to a local shelter, it is important to have essential items already prepared to either self-sustain at home or take with you to the shelter. If you are sheltering in-place, each individual must plan to be self-sustaining for up to 72 hours.

Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents, copies of identification, bank accounts in a waterproof container

Special Situations

If you or a family member is elderly, handicapped, bedridden, or has any other special needs, additional advanced plans may be necessary. If you evacuate bring all medications, written instructions regarding care, and special equipment with you. Other special considerations include:

• If you or a member of your family has special medical needs which require the use life sustaining equipment at home, be sure to register with local utility company
• If you or a member of your family require oxygen, check with your supplier in advance about emergency plans
• If you receive services in your home such as Home Care or Meals-on-Wheels contact your provider to learn about their emergency plans and how to contact them if you are evacuating

Pets

Before the storm hits, be sure that your pet has proper ID and up-to-date veterinarian records. These items will make it much easier to reunite pet and owner if you become separated. Be sure to put together a pet survival kit.