Suffolk Storm Isaias Update: 'Worst Scenarios Came To Be'

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Tropical Storm Isaias socked Suffolk County Wednesday, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and some without phone service — something that must be remedied so it doesn't happen again during an even more significant weather event, Suffolk County Steve Bellone said.

Bellone gave a storm update Wednesday, explaining that at the height of the storm Tuesday, nearly 500,000 PSEG Long Island customers lost power.

A loss of power was a concern even before the storm slammed Long Island, he said. On Tuesday, the amount of rain that fell was less than expected and flooding worries dissipated, while strong winds were the chief issue. Sustained 40 mph winds, with gusts of more than 70 mph, "became the focal point of all those concerns. Our worst scenarios came to be," Bellone said.

The storm knocked down hundreds of trees and thousands of large limbs and branches; crews worked through the night to clear county roads but as of Wednesday, five county roadways remained partially closed, including County Roads 17, 67, 86, 35 and 9, he said.

With many residents unable to get through to PSEG on Tuesday, they turned to 911, Bellone said. "The call volume for this storm was enormous," he said. While county officials tried to direct residents to dial 311 for non-emergencies, Suffolk County's Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services saw an increase of 400 percent in call volume, he said.

Tuesdays' storm, he said, was a "dry run" and problems must be diagnosed before future storms slam Suffolk. "We need to be prepared as hurricane season approaches." he said. While Bellone said it is too early to diagnose what happened during Isaias, the problem must be studied. Right now, he said, "the priority is getting power restored."

To that end, he said, PSEG had 2,000 crews out working through the night Tuesday into Wednesday to get power back.

Many residents turned to social media to say that they were not able to get through to PSEG Long Island on Tuesday.

"We are experiencing communications issues and are working with Verizon and other partners to resolve this matter as quickly as possible," a media representative for PSEG Long Island said.

The county, he said, will work with PSEG Long Island to determine the cause of the power and communications interruptions and make sure it is remedied moving forward.

When asked if he would call for an investigation, Bellone said there needs to be an analysis. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, announced Wednesday that he would direct the Department of Public Service PSEG and other utilities regarding their storm response.

Golf courses, parks closed

With all Suffolk County golf facilities and some county parks closed, the goal is to get them open as soon as possible.

Smith Point County Park beach, Bellone said, is closed for swimming due to a loss of power in bathroom facilities.

"This was a tropical storm that was not expected to deliver that big of a punch but it did — it hit hard," Bellone said.