Southampton Village workers are inventorying chainsaws, gassing up equipment, inspecting trucks and making sure generators are all functioning — making sure that the village is ready for whatever Hurricane Sandy brings, Mayor Mark Epley said Friday.
“We’re recommending everyone stock up on water, batteries — and if you're on any type of medication, make sure you have at least a two-week supply of it.”
Village emergency services officials will convene at 2:30 p.m. to review preparations, Epley said, and he joined 150 other municipal officials on a conference call with the Long Island Power Authority Friday morning.
“What they’re anticipating is there will probably be a loss of power for a two- to three-day period," he said of LIPA. He added that village workers, with the assistance of LIPA, have been aggressive this year when it comes to take down limbs and entire trees that pose "fall hazards."
Epley went on to say, "The biggest concern really is flooding, because we’re going to have significant storm surge, with a lot of rain."
The village expects flooding on Meadow Lane, Gin Lane and other low lying areas.
Epley said that he does not anticipate issuing an evacuation order for low lying areas, but the village is always prepared to do so. "Last time we gave an evacuation order, we had an 80 percent noncompliance rate," he said, noting that it was during the last weekend before Labor Day in 2011, when Hurricane Irene was headed for Long Island. Many residents did not want to leave at that time, but now, at the end of October, many of the homes on Meadow Lane and Gin Lane are already unoccupied for the season, he said.
Village emergency workers will make the rounds visiting residents who have filled out "in need of assistance" emergency cards with the Police Department.
Epley said that anyone who has yet to fill out a "in need of assistance" card can call the village police at 631-283-0056 and talk to Chief Dispatcher Ken Lockard, or any dispatcher, if they expect they will require help due to the storm.
"What we really need to know is if there is somebody on oxygen, any type of support device that requires power, or has a physical handicap makes it difficult to get around," the mayor said.
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