Town Of Huntington Preparing For Peak Hurricane Season

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, NY — The Town of Huntington is taking precautions before the next hurricane hits.

"As global water temperatures rise, the frequency and severity of storms increases," the town wrote. "The next big hurricane is not a matter of if, but when."

The town said it is actively coordinating with county and utility officials to prepare for 2023 peak hurricane season. While hurricane season in New York starts in June, the storms tend to be at their most dangerous between August and October.

Should a hurricane come, Town of Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth said residents should prepare bags stocked with items they would need for three days in case they need to leave their homes.

"If a storm is coming, have plenty of water, batteries, flashlights on hand," Smyth told Patch. "Have a cooler ready. If they can, have a generator. Bring all of your outdoor furniture, your patio furniture, etc., bring that inside if possible. If not, make sure it's secured so in high winds, they don't become projectiles. If you have a swimming pool, lower the water level by a foot so if we get excessive rainfall, it won't overflow the pool."

Smyth also encouraged people to read checklists on how to prepare for a storm. The Town of Huntington website offers the guidance, as well as the National Weather Service and FEMA. Special guidelines are available for those with pets or a boat on the water.

The town takes specific steps each peak hurricane season, as well as long-term steps the municipality will continue to take.

Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino has taken a "special interest" in removing dead trees and overhanging branches from major roadways, Smyth said. The town is also ensuring its emergency vehicles are ready at anytime; that its chainsaws, wood chippers, heavy equipment and dump trucks are in top condition.

The town is also looking to have as many "storm-hardened" facilities as possible, Smyth said. The town maintains an emergency operations center on Pulaski Road.

'We could, if necessary, run the entire town from that small facility," Smyth said. "It has direct lines to emergency services throughout the county, state and federal agencies, including the National Weather Service and Coast Guard."

The town has generator service, emergency wiring and Internet service available at the building in case of an emergency.

Hurricanes typically damage waterfront areas the most, Smyth said. The town has an ongoing program of bulkhead rebuilding, dock rebuilding and beach replenishment.

Smyth said some of the advice and preparations also apply to blizzards.