Town Urges Evacuation of Flood-Prone Areas

Southampton Town officials are urging a voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas within a half-mile of the ocean or bay — and a mandatory evacuation is possible Saturday morning.

"If you have experienced flooding in the past whether from coastal flooding or from rain events, you should evacuate until the hurricane has gone by," said Lt. Robert P. Iberger, the head of the town’s Office of Emergency Management. He advised evacuees to arrive at their storm location by 3 p.m. Saturday.

Iberger in a statement Friday evening said that evacuees should make plans to stay with friends or family who live further inland, or check in to a hotel or motel.

“If you live in a trailer or mobile you will have to evacuate,” he added.

SHELTER INFORMATION

• In Southampton Town the public shelter will be the . That shelter will begin accepting occupants after 10 a.m. For those with animals, Southampton Town Animal Control Officers will be available to take pets to an offsite location. However, residents are urged to board their animals elsewhere as space is limited in the animal shelters.

• Suffolk County will open a pet-friendly shelter in the Woodland Building at the in Riverhead.

• The is a designated special needs shelter for residents who require medical assistance.

• If you do have to go to a public shelter it is recommended that you bring a pillow, blanket, flashlight & batteries, games for children if you have children, books, magazines, a change of clothes, toiletries, medicines, bottled water, extra batteries, a folding chair, etc.

Additional evacuation and emergency info:

• Mandatory Evacuations Ordered for West Hampton Dunes, Westhampton Beach, Quogue