News: Hurricane Irene’s Path to Long Island
(Long Island, N.Y.) In response to the threat of Hurricane Irene, many Long Island beachfront towns have been preparing for possible evacuations. Residents of Long Beach and Lido Beach have received several calls about the potential to evacuate and have been instructed to prepare for the worst. Officials have suggested that all Long Island residents stock up on nonperishable food and water, and keep an overnight bag of essentials ready immediately.
Construction workers were ordered to dissemble a temporary building in Long Beach that was to be used for the upcoming surfing competition. Many tourists and surf enthusiasts have flocked to the barrier island to watch the historic contest, cheering on as spectators in the crowd. Residents of the areas have done the same, and were alarmed on Thursday as they watched workers dissemble what was recently constructed for sport.
According to reports, the eye of the storm is scheduled to pass over central Long Island in Suffolk County. Nonetheless, residents in the area have been instructed to prepare for the worst of the storm. Those staying and living on Fire Island have been asked to evacuate.
Sources have also claimed that New York City bus and subway systems are likely to be shut down by noon tomorrow. This puts tremendous pressure on many residents of Manhattan and the boroughs that do not own vehicles and rely on public transportation. Commuter rail lines going in and out of Long Island are also likely to be put out of service.
In addition to Long Island rails, Westchester County and Connecticut transportation is expected to be limited or cancelled as a result of the hurricane. According to reports, New York City has already evacuated hospitals and nursing homes located in low-lying areas. Sources claimed Mayor Bloomberg stated that persons with high needs have been made a priority interest and twenty-two hospitals may be affected by the decision.
Construction work scheduled to occur in New York City has been postponed until seven on Monday morning. Both New York University and Colombia University have postponed their move-in day and opening ceremonies for undergraduates. The Giants/Jets game has also been rescheduled to occur at a different time in correlation with the expected storm.
Some have claimed that New York City officials and members of the mayor’s administration have reacted strongly to the hurricane out of fear of making an inadequate response. City officials have been largely criticized for their answer to the blizzard that occurred the day after Christmas in 2010. Nonetheless, Hurricane Irene’s 115 mile-per-hour winds that reach three-hundred miles from center are no longer factors to be questioned.
