Southold Town Battens Down Hatches to Prepare for Hermine

SOUTHOLD, NY — As Hermine churns its deadly path toward the North Fork, Southold Town officials are battening down the hatches and working diligently to keep residents safe.

On Saturday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone declared a state of emergency in Suffolk. Officials have also issued a voluntary evacuation of Fire Island.

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Long Island as Hermine, now classified as a tropical depression, makes its way up the East Coast.

(For continued updates on the storm, including news on power outages and road closures, sign up for Patch news alerts here.)

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the town's emergency management operations team has met a number of times since Friday; officials, he said, maintain regular contact.

"We have been keeping a close eye on the track of the storm," Russell said. In addition, the supervisor said, the town has been in contact with PSE&G and Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services.

"Highway Superintendent Vinny Orlando has had his department get all of the equipment ready and has taken precautionary measures to prepare for flooding and tree removal. He has also taken delivery of gas to make sure we have an adequate amount in case of a prolonged recovery," Russell said.

Orlando said the town's highway department has checked out all its pay loaders, chainsaws, and chippers and, as the supervisor noted, filled the town's 8,000 gallon gas tank.