City Manager: Plan to Evacuate Long Beach

City Manager Charles Theofan is encouraging residents to get ready to voluntarily evacuate Long Beach in anticipation of Hurricane Irene, as the storm makes its way up the coast and is expected to hit Long Island on Sunday morning.

The website of the City of Long Beach posted a message from the city manger on Thursday evening that “recommends that Long Beach residents MAKE PLANS for a voluntary evacuation.”

The message goes on to suggest that residents prepare a kit with necessary items such as medications and batteries and to make arrangements to stay with friends north of Sunrise Highway, and encourages readers to view the city’s 2011 Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

The city plans to update residents with information about the storm through its Swift 911 phone system, as well as through a Storm Hotline at 431-1000 and press 1.

In response to a question Long Beach Patch posted on its Facebook page Thursday night, “Where will you go, what will you do, if Long Beach is evacuated?,” some residents replied that they were already prepared to head to relative’s home.

“I'm already packed,” Laura Nichole wrote. “We are going to a family members in Smithtown.”

“Room reserved at Hilton in Manhattan,” Bledry Cleveland replied.

Others indicated that they are opting to remain in Long Beach.

“Staying and holding down the fort,” wrote Keith Collins.

Meanwhile, at a press conference Thursday, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano put Long Beach barrier island on alert to evacuate. "I'm calling on residents of Atlantic Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Lido Beach, Long Beach and Point Lookout to begin preparation for a possible evacuation of their communities."