How HHH Residents Can Prepare for Hurricane Joaquin

Suffolk County officials want residents to be prepared for an emergency in case Hurricane Joaquin’s path does cross with ours.

Here’s how Town of Huntington residents can prepare and protect themselves in the event of a natural disaster.

Below is a list of items to stock up on, things to do before a storm, how to stay safe during a storm and important emergency notifications and registries to be aware of.

• ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Hurricane Joaquin on Very Uncertain Path Toward Long Island

Suffolk County Police, Second Precinct

• 1071 Park Ave. in Huntington
• Emergency: 911
• Non-emergency: 631- 854-8200

Melville Fire Department

• 531 Sweet Hollow Road in Melville
• Emergency: 631-547-4121
• Non-emergency: 631-423-2635

Dix Hills Fire Department

• 115 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills
• Emergency: 911
• Non-emergency: 631-499-8836

Items to stock up on:

• Build an emergency kit consisting of: one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3-7 days, non-perishable food, medications, copies of important family documents, a first aid kit, a flashlight and extra batteries.
• Have formula for infants and needed nutritional supplements.
• Blankets and pillows packed in plastic bags.
• Prescription medications.
• Flashlights and battery operated radios.
• Keep cell phone chargers dry and accessible.
• First aid kit.
• Toiletries.
• Cash.
• Tools.
• Food for your pets and secure their medical information.

Things to do before a storm:

• Fill the gas tanks of your vehicles.
• Place important documents in waterproof sealed plastic bags.
• Trim trees and shrubs around your home so they are more wind resistant.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Buy plywood or other materials to protect your home.
• Review your insurance policy.
• Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, garage or near a window.

How to stay safe during a storm:

• Make a communication plan with your family: Ask a non-local relative or friend to be the “family contact” in case your family gets separated. Make sure all family members know the name, address, and phone number of this contact person. Have a plan to reach family members and have a meeting place.
• Determine safe evacuation routes inland.
• Learn locations of official shelters. Check for Town of Huntington emergency shelters here.
• Find out if you live in a storm surge zone here.

Important emergency notifications and registries to be aware of:

• The Town of Huntington’s Department of Emergency Management information can be found here.
• Sign up for Huntington Alert, the Town’s emergency notification system.
• Download the Hurricane Preparedness Handbook.

• Sign up for Suffolk County’s Code Red emergency notification system. Suffolk will use Code Red to contact residents in the event of an actual or impending emergency.
• Create a Smart911 safety profile. This will immediately give 9-1-1 operators information about yourself, family members, your valuables and more when you make an emergency call.
• Anyone who is dependent upon life-support equipment, can contact LIPA at 1-(800) 490-0025 to register for their Critical Care Program.
• Sign up for Suffolk County Emergency Preparedness Registry, which allows emergency responders to help locate and evacuate people with Special Needs or high risks during an emergency. Register here.
• Individuals with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities can be registered with the Suffolk County Police Department “Silver Alert/Special Needs Alert” program. This program shares vital information to law enforcement, the media and community in the event a person wanders or becomes separated during a storm.

Useful links:

• How to stay prepared during a storm and after a storm.
• Useful phone numbers in the event of an emergency.
• New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Long Island Power Authority Storm and Outage Information (LIPA)
• Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services
• Suffolk County Department of Emergency Management

Information was provided by the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County’s website, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and legislator Steve Stern.

Image via Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone