Red Cross Shelters Open On Long Island; Several Areas Evacuated
ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Long Islanders could be hit hard by Sandy when the storm makes landfall.
Residents on Islip have already begun making preparations to weather the storm.
"Basically just get canned goods. We don't want to get frozen in case the electric goes out," Islip resident Terry told WCBS 880's Monica Miller.
WCBS 880's Monica Miller reports
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Bags of ice and batteries have been flying off the shelves at convenience stores on Islip, Miller reported.
Suffolk County officials have already announced the opening of three Red Cross evacuation centers, which opened at 8 a.m.
Suffolk County Shelters Open Today:
- Hampton Bays High School – 88 Argonne Avenue Hampton Bays, NY 11946
- Sachem East High School - 177 Granny Road Farmingville, NY 11738
- Brentwood High School Sonderling Bldg. – 52 Third Avenue Brentwood, NY 11717
Suffolk County Pet Shelters Open Today
- Brentwood Rec Center – 99 Third Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717
- Suffolk County Community College Eastern Campus – Woodlands Bldg. - 121 Speonk Rd., Riverhead, NY
Suffolk County officials have called for a mandatory evacuation of Fire Island by 2 p.m. Sunday. All Suffolk County parks will be closed as of 6 p.m., officials announced Sunday morning.
First responders have also made preparations ahead of the storm, since they will likely be out answering emergency calls when Sandy hits.
"I have a generator...stocked up on everything and filled up all my tanks and got cash and that's that," said Bob, an Islip firefighter.
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Fire officials and other experts warn drivers to stay off the roads when the pounding rain and flooding hits. If you do have to be out driving, it's especially important to not drive through flood waters, experts said.
"You shouldn't be driving through deep puddles. If you see somebody stuck don't think you're going to go through cause you ain't," Bob told Miller.
Other tips to make it through the storm with minimal damage - bring important items up from out of your basement, said Bob.
"Around in this area, the basements do kind of flood. So I have all my stuff on palettes or up high, the stuff that can't afford to be lost," he told Miller.
And residents should back an emergency get-away bag, just in case evacuation orders take effect.
"Your medications, bank information, anything that you can't afford to lose at home," Bob added.
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