VIDEO: Mangano Puts Barrier Island on Evacuation Alert Notice

With Hurricane Irene predicted to hit Long Island sometime either Sunday or Monday, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano put the barrier island -- comprised of Atlantic Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach and Point Lookout -- on alert for a possible evacuation Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at a press conference at the County Office of Emergency Management in Bethpage, Mangano urged residents to “stay calm” and said the office would try to give at least 24 hours notice of evacuation.

The county is preparing public shelter locations, which will be announced Friday if needed. Initial locations will include: Nassau Community College, SUNY Farmingdale and Locust Valley High School. Nassau Community College will also serve as a special needs shelter for those in need of medical attention.

The county executive also urged residents to have an emergency preparedness kit ready and to only use 911 for actual emergencies, directing them to the county’s non-emergency hotline at 1-888-684-4274.