County Pre-Stages Equipment At Ponquogue Beach In Advance Of Powerful Nor'Easter, Projected Coastal Erosion

SOUTHAMPTON TOWN, NY — With a powerful nor'easter set to sock Southampton Sunday into Monday, officials are poised and ready to keep the public safe during the storm.

Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said the worst of the storm is expected Sunday night through midday Monday, but "currently, the wave action has the storm lingering until Tuesday."

With wind gusts of 44 to 60 miles an hour forecast, Moore said: "We are, of course, hoping for the lower end of that, because that should lead to less power issues."

According to Ryan Murphy, Southampton Town public safety and emergency management administrator, officials are actively monitoring the situation. Town officials are in active communication with the police department, emergency management, and highway departments, he said.

In addition, the town is communication with the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, and PSEG Long Island, he said.

Efforts are underway to protect some of the most long-vulnerable areas of shoreline from projected coastal erosion, Murphy said.

"The county has pre-staged some machinery at Ponquogue Beach, to be ready to address any issues at the county beach and dune area opposite the Shinnecock commercial dock," Murphy said. "The town highway department has also moved a piece of heavy machinery to the Ponquogue parking lot to help or address any other needs."

PSEG Long Island has told Southampton Town officials that they have a "decent number of extra crews on to be ready for the storm and will conduct restoration work as expeditiously as possible if needs arise," Murphy said.

Moore said PSEGLI has about 100 crews ready to respond if issues occur.

Murphy offered storm safety tips:

- Residents and visitors are encouraged to avoid travel during hazardous conditions, if possible.

- Outdoor furniture and possessions should be taken in or secured to avoid them blowing away in high winds.

- Do not drive in flooded roadways or around barriers into flood areas.

- Help track flooding and coastal erosion/damage by submitting reports and photos here.