Tropical Storm Isaias Downs Trees, Knocks Out Power

Tropical Storm Isaias pounded Long Island Tuesday, bringing with it heavy rain and high winds.

The Garden City Volunteer Fire Department responded to more than 41 alarms in a less than 16-hour period. The first alarm was received at 12:40 for wires burning in a tree on Osborne Road. Assistant Chief Pearn began responding and was notified by Nassau County Fire Communications that they had three additional alarms in the Village. During the course of the storm, members responded to multiple calls for wires down, trees down, trees down on structures, odors of natural gas as well as carbon monoxide alarms. With the influx of alarms throughout Nassau County, the Department began self-dispatching alarms from Fire Headquarters during the height of the storm. Throughout the storm, Department members and apparatus were traversing the Village responding to calls for assistance. Special thanks to members of the Garden City Police Department and Garden City Public Works staff for doing their best to allow clear passage during the storm.

According to Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson, as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias, there were more than 220 reported incidents. Officers, Firefighters and DPW/Tree Department personnel responded to numerous reports of trees falling on houses, power lines, roads, fences, vehicles, and on the railroad tracks at the Cathedral Avenue crossing where train service was suspended on the Hempstead line. Several houses suffered severe damage, as did many vehicles. In addition, units responded to numerous reports of house fires, alarms, tree fires, wires down, power line/transformer fires, power outages, traffic light malfunctions, damaged gas lines, auto accidents, property damage reports, medical aided reports and disabled autos.

Paul Blake, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, said the Garden City Pool was spared and Village parks saw minimal damage. “We were pretty fortunate. No damage, couple of trees down, including one at Grove and one at Edgemere,” he said.

Public Works Superintendent Joseph DiFrancisco described the Village’s storm response as a “well-coordinated effort” by the Garden City Police, Fire, Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments. “Members of these Departments supported each other throughout the storm and after in order to clear roads and ensure the safety of the residents of this Village,” he said. “We ask that residents have patience as Village crews will be working extra hours in order to reopen roads and clear roadways and sidewalks. They have a tremendous amount of work ahead of them as the cleanup will continue into next week and they should be commended for their efforts and teamwork during this very damaging storm.”

To report a downed Village tree, please call Recreation and Parks at 465-4075/76/77. Stay connected by signing up for Village email alerts through an online portal on Garden City’s homepage. The link is located on the bottom right side of the website, www.gardencityny.net. Provide your name and a valid email address to immediately begin receiving non-emergency updates, including power outages, road closures and more.

To report a power outage or downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 800-490-0075 or use our web chat feature at www.psegliny.com. Download the new PSEG Long Island mobile app to report an outage and to receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more. To report and receive status updates via text, text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or visit www.psegliny.com/outages.