• Hurricane Irene: Important Long Island Links and Information. 
• Post-Irene: Clean-up and outages information
• American Red Cross Safe and Well
• Suffolk County Fire Departments Direct Numbers
• Nassau County Fire Departments Direct Numbers

LIPA INFO:
Due to massive damage from Sunday's storm in hundreds of locations across Long Island, we currently expect that it could take until Friday to restore service to 95% of the customers that lost power.  Many customers will be restored today and over the next few days.  Updated restoration information will be posted on our site at 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily.  If you see a downed wire, assume it is a live electric wire and report it immediately to LIPA at 1-800-490-0075. Click here  for the outage map.

NOAA

• Long Island/NYC
• Hurricane Center 
• Local Long Island Weather Service
• Long Island storm Surge Maps
• Hurricane Tracker
• Weather Underground

Suffolk County
Publc Safety

Dial "852-COPS" - For non-Emergency Police calls in Suffolk County.
Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services: 631-852-4851
Emergency Medical Services: (631) 853-5800
Suffolk town and villages

Nassau County
Hurricanes

For down trees, please dial 516-571-6900.
To report a power outage, please dial 1-800-490-0075
Nassau town numbers 

• LIPA
• National Grid  
• NYS Division of Homeland security  
• Red Cross Hurricane guide  
• FEMA  
• Hurricane Basics
• Hurricanes Overall   

From June 1^st through November 30^th Long Islanders focus their attention to the Tropics. Several hurricanes have impacted Long Island over the years. The last Hurricane to hit Long Island was Bob in August of 1991.  At 830 AM on the 18th, Bob was south of Long Island and had winds of 100 mph. A wind gust of 101 mph was recorded at Montauk Point.

• HURRICANE - maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or greater.

• HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when a hurricane or tropical storm watch or warning is issued for the local area. It contains highly detailed information about present and/or anticipated storm affects such as: watches and/or warnings in effect, storm information, precaution/preparedness information, storm surge and tidal impacts, wind impacts, rainfall and flooding impacts, the tornado threat and update information.

• HURRICANE SEASON - June through November for the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea & Gulf of Mexico. Peak threat to United States is from the middle of August through late October.

• HURRICANE WARNING issued by the National Hurricane Center when hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area within 24 hours or less. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed to by local officials.

• HURRICANE WATCH - issued by the National Hurricane Center when hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area generally within 36 hours. This is the time to take action to protect life and property.

• INLAND HIGH WIND WARNING FOR HURRICANE (or TROPICAL STORM) FORCE WINDS - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office, usually in conjunction with a Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Warning issued by the National Hurricane, when hurricane (tropical storm) force winds are expected for inland/non-coastal counties.

• INLAND HIGH WIND WATCH FOR HURRICANE (or TROPICAL STORM) FORCE WINDS - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office, usually in conjunction with a Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Watch issued by the National Hurricane, when hurricane (tropical storm) force winds are possible for inland/non-coastal counties.

• SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE:  Hurricane Intensity
  • Category 1    74 to 95 mph
  • Category 2    96 to 110 mph
  • Category 3    111 to 130 mph
  • Category 4    131 to 155 mph
  • Category 5    greater than 156 mph

• TROPICAL CYCLONE PUBLIC ADVISORY - issued by the National Hurricane Center. The advisory contains a list of all current watches and warnings on a tropical cyclone. The cyclone position is given in terms of latitude and longitude coordinates and distance from a selected land point or island, as well as the current motion. The advisory includes the maximum sustained winds in miles per hour and the estimated or measured minimum central pressure in millibars and inches. Public advisories are normally issued every six hours. They may be issued every two or three hours when coastal watches or warnings are in effect. Special public advisories may be issued at any time due to significant changes in warnings or in the cyclone. They are broadcast over local NOAA Weather Radio when the tropical storm or hurricane is located west of longitude 50 degrees West.

• TROPICAL DEPRESSION - an organized area of low pressure where sustained surface winds are 38 mph or less.

• TROPICAL STORM - a strong area of low pressure associated with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. It is at this point a tropical cyclone gets a name.

• TROPICAL STORM WARNING - issued by the National Hurricane Center when tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within 24 hours or less.

• TROPICAL STORM WATCH - issued by the National Hurricane Center when tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area generally within 36 hours.

• TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK - issued four times a day during the hurricane season by the National Hurricane Center. The outlook is a discussion of significant areas of disturbed weather and their potential for development out to 48 hours.

• TROPICAL WEATHER SUMMARY - issued by the National Hurricane Center. The summary is issued on the first of every month during the hurricane season. It describes the previous month's tropical cyclone activity and gives details on the cyclones as known at that time. The last Tropical Weather Summary of the season gives a brief account of the whole season.

List of Long Island Hurricanes 

1825 June 4th a hurricane badly damaged long island

1893 A category 2 hits New York City in late August causing heavy damage

1938 September 21st Long Island express caused storm surge flooding 3 miles inland as a Category 3 in west & central long island. Reports of a 40ft wall of water destroyed approx 14,000 homes. 500 killed

1944 A Category 1 hits Long Island between Westhampton and Southampton on September 15^th.

1954 August 31, Hurricane Carol hits Long Island as many homes were splintered by gusts to 130mph

1960 September 12th Hurricane Donna hits Central Long Island with gusts to 125mph, sustained at 100mph on eastern end

1961 Hurricane Esther Clipped Eastern Long Island, with heavy rain and strong winds. 108 mph at Montauk, 100 mph Fire Island

1976 Belle hits Aug 10th peak gust 95mph system was weakening 24 hrs prior to landfall with a forward speed of up to 25mph.

1985 Hurricane Gloria gives area gusts to 115mph shuts down NYSE area reported many pre mature births due to low pressure. Low tide at landfall may have saved many lives.  (Moderate damage)

1991 Hurricane Bob brushes Long Island, 101 mph wind gust at Montauk Point. 5 to 8 Inches of rain fell on Long Island. Areas of the Northeast suffered the worst damage up to 1.5 billion dollars in damage. 18 Killed

Many Tropical Storms have also affected Long Island and caused millions of dollars in Damage.
LONG ISLAND HURRICANES

http://www.bnl.gov/weather/files/Hurricane/LI_hurricanes.htm
http://www.hurricanes-blizzards-noreasters.com/

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml

What Should I Do?

BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON STARTS

• Plan an evacuation route.
  • Contact the local emergency management office or 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 safe routes inland.
  • Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
  • 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 may not be 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 fire department 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 emergency management office. 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.

DURING A HURRICANE WATCH
(A Hurricane Watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.)

• Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and 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.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
• Review evacuation plan.
• Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING
(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.)

• Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
• If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately.
• 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.
  • Take pre-assembled emergency supplies, warm protective clothing, blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
  • Lock up 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 the power company, police, or fire department.
• Enter your home with caution. Beware of snakes, 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 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 gas company 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, call an electrician first 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 water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.