Community Corner
Mandatory Evacuation Area Expanded in Southampton Town
More residents required to evacuate as the worst of Hurricane Sandy is on its way.
In response to the latest forecasts, with an expected tidal surge of 6 to 11 feet, Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst has ordered the mandatory evacuation of category 2 flood zones in Southampton Town.
On Sunday night, Throne-Holst declared a state of emergency and put in place a mandatory evacuation for flood-prone areas in the category 1 zone. Adjacent areas were subject to a voluntary evacuation, but as of Monday morning, now the mandate includes homes in the second zone.
Southampton Town residents can check which SLOSH zone they are in by using the town's lookup tool, found by clicking here. SLOSH stands for Sea, Lake, Overland, Surge from Hurricane, and is a model used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Residents may also consult the attached maps. Areas shaded dark orange are subject to the evacuation order.
Southampton Town Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Lt. Lawrence P. Schurek said Monday afternoon, "Please be reminded, these extreme tidal surge levels are of historic proportion and if you reside in any low lying or flood zones, You must evacuate."
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
He added, "Officials in Southampton Town are reminding residents that there is currently a State of Emergency in effect and that they should not be on the roadways unless actively evacuating."
Low-lying areas of Southampton Village, Westhampton Beach, Sag Harbor, Quogue and West Hampton Dunes are all subject to voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders. The entirety of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation is under a mandatory evacuation order.
Residents of Southampton Town and the villages within can relocate to the American Red Cross Shelter at Hampton Bays High School, or Riverhead High School. If it is more convenient, town residents can also use the shelter at East Hampton High School too. Sag Harbor Village has opened a shelter at Pierson High School for its residents.
For people with special needs, there is a shelter at Hampton Bays Senior Center, 25 Ponquogue Avenue, Hampton Bays.
There is a pet-friendly shelter at Eastern Campus Suffolk Community College, Cutchogue Building, 121 Speonk Riverhead Road, Speonk.
Those headed to shelters are asked to bring a blanket, pillow, medicines, snacks, bottled water, reading materials, flashlights and batteries.
