Lindenhurst Walloped by Irene

Lindenhurst was battered by Hurricane Irene as the Category One storm’s tidal surge flooded nearly all areas of the Village located along the Great South Bay and canals that traverse as far north as Montauk Hwy.

Mayor Tom Brennan told Lindenhurst Patch on Sunday afternoon that the at the end of South Wellwood Ave. was very badly damaged.

“There's a lot of (repair) work to be done,” he said.

Prior to the storm Brennan was hopeful the aging would withstand the impact of Irene.

In addition, he noted that Venetian Shores was also impacted by heavy flooding and that water from canals near Montauk Highway overflowed their banks and flooded the heavily traveled roadway in some sections.

Also, as of this afternoon, traffic traveling south on South Wellwood Ave. was not permitted below Plain Street.

Brennan said residents taking shelter at would be permitted to return to their homes Sunday as along as there was no downed wires or trees that would create unsafe conditions.

The mayor said that crews from the Department of Public Works are working throughout the village to clear debris from streets.

As the full impact of Irene was felt in Lindenhurst late Saturday night into Sunday morning, most homes in the Village and North Lindenhurst lost power. Brennan, who was out in the storm around 1 a.m. Sunday reported seeing many electrical transformers being impacted.

“It was almost like a Grucci fireworks show,” he said.

As of 3:30 p.m. Sunday, 1,160 customers in Lindenhurst and 119 customers in North Lindenhurst were without power, according to the utility’s website.

Brennan also said that there was a limited amount of rescue calls during the height of the storm that no water rescues were needed.

Editor's Note: Check back with Lindenhurst Patch for continual updates on Hurricane Irene’s impact on Lindenhurst and North Lindenhurst. Also be sure to follow Lindenhurst Patch on Twitter and Facebook. And click for -related stories, for -related , and for what about -related .