Department of Health Services (DHS) Update – Food Service Establishments; Suffolk County Update: (5:30 PM)
(Long Island, N.Y.) Electric power has been restored to large areas of the County, especially in commercial districts, and a rough estimate is that more than 95% of affected food establishments have discarded foods and restocked, and are operating normally.
Health inspectors have conducted approximately 2500 emergency assessments of food establishments since October 30th
Food service establishments that were closed when inspectors visited the establishments received “embargo” notices on their front doors and were required to contact DHS to report that food had been discarded and fresh food was brought in before being permitted to reopen.
When dining out, customers should feel free to ask if the food is fresh and if power has been restored or if the establishment is or has been operating with a generator.
Temporary Food Service DHS Inspections
Inspections were conducted Nov. 4 at temporary emergency food service and temporary housing locations throughout the county, including three American Red Cross sites in Mastic, Hauppauge and Riverhead (providing food), a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief site in Deer Park (preparing food), and two locations in Shirley and East Hampton set up to feed and house transient utility workers.
Each of these sites has been visited at least twice, and will be visited on a daily basis for as long as they continue to serve food, as will any additional emergency temporary feeding locations that we become aware of. No sanitary issues were found at these locations.
Inspectors are providing food safety education as needed to volunteers at the feeding locations.
Red Cross Shelters open this evening-November 7, 2012:(Please do NOT call the centers directly. If you desire additional information please call the American Red Cross 1-877-733-2767)
- North Babylon High School-1 Phelps Lane, North Babylon
- Village Green Center-423 Park Ave., Huntington, NY
- St Joseph’s College-155 West Roe Blvd, (Sunrise and Waverly Rd.) Patchogue, NY
- Sachem Central Teachers Association (Formally known as the Sachem Central District Office)-245 Union Ave., Holbrook, NY
- William Floyd High School-240 Mastic Beach Rd., Mastic Beach, NY
Pet Friendly Shelter (Pets only)
- North Babylon Fire Department-20 Hale Rd, North Babylon, NY
FEMA
FEMA has distributed over $12.9 million under the Individual and Household Assistance Program to Suffolk County residents. FEMA has approved over 2,500 Suffolk County applications for assistance.
Important FEMA Information
1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
Whether applying online atwww.DisasterAssistance.gov from your computer or smartphone, or over the phone through a FEMA call center, you should have a pen and paper and the following information ready:
- Your Social Security number
- Current and pre-disaster address
- A telephone number where you can be contacted
- Insurance information
- Total household annual income
- A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account) your bank routing number is located on the lower left side of your bank checks immediately before your account number.
- A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster
After you’ve completed your application for assistance, you will be given a FEMA application number. Write down this number and keep it for future reference.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: In order to be eligible for FEMA Rental Assistance you must answer “yes” to wanting to relocate. Note, relocation can be many things, including placing a trailer on your own property for temporary housing.
FEMA Disaster Assistance Centers
A Disaster Recovery Center is a readily accessible facility or mobile office where applicants may go for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance programs, or for questions related to your case.
FEMA representatives are on hand to assist residents in filling out FEMA applications, answer any questions and provide lists of resources. There are also Small Business representatives as well as County representatives from the offices of the Department of Health, Department of Social Services, Labor Department, Transitional Housing, Economic Development.
- H. Lee Dennison – 100 Vet’s Highway, Hauppauge, NY-9:00-7:00pm
- Mastic Beach Rec Center – 5 Herkimer St, Mastic Beach, NY-9:00-7:00PM
Suffolk County Small Business Assistance
Small businesses needing recovery assistance should contact the Suffolk County Department of Labor (SCDOL) at (631) 853 – 6600. Through the SCDOL and Department of Economic Development & Planning, the County is hosting Small Business Assistance Recovery Centers at SCDOL offices in Hauppauge and Riverhead beginning on Wednesday, 11/7. Hours: North County Complex-9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. & Riverhead SCDOL 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Health Update: Carbon Monoxide Dangers (please see attached brochure) [Español]
Sandy has caused power outages that may prompt people to use devices that produce carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is highly poisonous.
Take the following precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace.
- Portable generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) very quickly.
- ALWAYS locate the unit outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors.
- NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
- Follow instructions that come with the generator.
- If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT DELAY. If you have a poisoning emergency, call 1(800) 222-1222 and you will be directed to the nearest poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately.
WARMING CENTERS (List Updated as of 5:00p.m. today-November 7, 2012)
The following warming stations are provided by local towns, houses of worship, fire departments, and other facilities. Each station provides a different combination of services. Please make note of hours and services.
Town of Babylon
- Farmingdale Knights of Columbus, 1 Morton Street, Farmingdale, Hours: Seven days, 24 hours a day. Warming station and shelter., For more information, call: (516) 523 – 7130
- Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst, Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9 p.m. until further notice.
- Babylon Town Annex, 281 Phelps Lane, North Babylon, Hours: 24-hours until further notice.,
- Lindenhurst Public Library, 1 Lee Avenue, Lindenhurst, Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday – Thursday.
- Copiague Library, 15 Deauville Blvd. Copiague, Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday.
- St. Joseph’s Parish, 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon, Hours: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
- West Babylon Public Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon, Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. /F – Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., And Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Town of Brookhaven
The Town of Brookhaven has extended the hours of operation of seven warming centers located throughout the community. Residents who have no heat can visit 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. These extended hours will be in effect until further notice. For residents without access to transportation, call (516) 807 – 7203.
- Rose Caracapa Senior Citizen Cultural & Wellness Center, 739 Route 25A, Mount Sinai / (631) 476 – 6449
- Bay Area Nutrition Center, 369 Neighborhood Road, Mastic / (631) 281 – 7679
- Robert E. Reid Senior Recreation Center, Defense Hill & 25A, Shoreham / (631) 744 – 2601
- Saint Michaels Recreation Center, Wilson Avenue, Gordon Heights / (631) 698 – 3254
- Mastic Recreation Center, 15 Herkimer Street, Mastic / (631) 281 – 7655
- Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center (Bluepoint Cottage), 39 Montauk Highway, Bluepoint / (631) 363 – 5193
- Town of Brookhaven Recreation Building, 286 Hawkins Rd., Centereach, NY (631) 451-6101
Town of Huntington
- Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, 74 Hauppauge Rd., Commack, Hours: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mon – Wed; until 10 p.m. TH; 6:30 – 5 p.m. Friday. For more information call: (631) 462 – 9800
- Dix Hills Ice Rink, 575 Vanderbilt, Dix Hills, Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Friday / (631) 462 – 5883
- Central Presbyterian Church, 240 Main Street, Huntington, Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Use rear entrance. / (631) 421 – 3663
- Temple Beth El, 660 Park Avenue, Huntington, Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday / (631) 421 – 5835
- Huntington YMCA, 60 Main Street, Huntington, Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. / (631) 421 – 4242
- Light of Salvation Church, 1599 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday / (631) 421 – 4375
- St. Hugh of Lincoln RC Church, New York Avenue & E. 9th Street, Huntington, Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Salvation Army East Northport Service Center, 319 Clay Pitts Road, East Northport, Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Seven Days a Week
- Village Green Senior Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington, NY
Town of Islip
- Sayville Public Library, 88 Greene Avenue, Sayville., Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday. Saturday 9:30 – 5 p.m., And Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- American Legion Post 411, 39 Nassau Avenue, Islip, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Effective Wednesday, November 7, open daily between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The general public can come in for a free breakfast and/or lunch. We will also offer free ice, free cell phone charging, hot beverages throughout the day (coffee, tea, hot chocolate). Tables and chairs will be set up with board games and cards. Volunteers to help staff the post are welcome. Click on the link above for directions.
- Joyce Fitzpatrick Senior Center, 50 Irish Lane, Islip, Wednesday, November 7; Thursday, November 8; and Friday November 9, Noon to 8 p.m., We will offer free cell phone charging, hot beverages throughout the day (coffee, tea). Call (631) 224-5396.
- West Islip Senior Center, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip, Wednesday, November 7; Thursday, November 8; and Friday November 9, Noon to 8 p.m., We will offer free cell phone charging, hot beverages throughout the day (coffee, tea). Call (631) 893-8932
- St. Marks Church, 754 Montauk Hwy., Islip, Every Evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Offering free hot food, phone charging, WiFi and fellowship.
- VFW, 140 Wurz Street, Brentwood, NY 11717, Wednesday, November 7, Open for soup and a place to weather the storm. We have shelter space as needed for all Veterans.
RED CROSS MEAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS
Meals are being served 11:00 a.m. and Dinner from 4:00 p.m.
- Dennison Building in Hauppauge, 100 Vet’s Highway, Hauppauge
- Riverhead County Center 210 Center Drive, Riverhead
- Mastic Fire House, 1088 Mastic Road, Mastic
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