Westchester Insider: Westchester County: Recent Storms Are a Reminder to be Prepared During Hurricane Season.

 

RECENT MAJOR STORMS ARE A REMINDER TO BE PREPARED DURING HURRICANE SEASON.

 

County Executive Latimer Advises Residents to Stock a Go-Bag and Obtain Flashlights, Batteries and Other Essentials.

 

(White Plains, NY) – The two devastating hurricanes that recently caused destruction from the Caribbean to Canada’s Atlantic coast are reminders of the dangers that severe weather can bring during hurricane season, County Executive George Latimer said.

 

Latimer urged residents to review their emergency plans, stock up on critical supplies and stay prepared in case severe weather strikes Westchester.

 

“Hurricane Fiona caused enormous damage around the Caribbean, including in Turks and Caicos and Bermuda. It devastated the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, which had yet to fully recover from a hurricane five years ago. Fiona even brought her wrath all the way to the Canadian Maritimes, “Latimer said. “Then came Hurricane Ian, which devastated much of Florida, causing loss of life and leaving millions without power. The fury of the storms we are experiencing cannot be under estimated.”

 

Latimer also noted that last year’s hurricane season was a particularly tragic one in Westchester.

 

“In 2021, five Westchester residents lost their lives as a result of severe flooding from a major storm. These tragic incidents are reminder to all of us of the need to stay informed and remain prepared.”

 

Latimer said the County’s Office of Emergency Management was monitoring the remnants of Ian, which has been downgraded from a hurricane but continues to cause flooding along portions of the East Coast.

 

County emergency responders recommend residents set aside several days’ worth of non-perishable food, water and medicine, and keep other critical supplies on hand like flashlights and batteries in case they are stuck in their homes without power. Residents should also have a “go-bag” ready in case they are asked to evacuate on short notice during an emergency. 

 

Latimer continued, “In recent years, many of our homeowners suffered significant property damage and power outages for an extended period of time. Mother Nature is hard to predict, but it can give us peace of mind to be prepared.”

 

Commissioner Richard G. Wishnie of the Department of Emergency Services said hurricane season runs June 1 through December 1. He recommends that residents create an emergency preparedness kit that includes:

 

• Gallon of water per person per day
• Three-day supply of canned, packaged or other shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food

foods that can be stored include ready-to-eat canned meats and fish, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal and granola, peanut butter, nuts, crackers and canned fruit or juice

• Manual can opener and eating utensils
• Flashlights and batteries
• First aid kit
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

 

Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of the Department of Health, said ahead of any major storm, residents should make a list of their medications, charge their cellphones and laptops, and fill their vehicle gas tanks, too. It is also a good idea to have some masks, wipes and hand sanitizer in a go-bag. Residents with oil tanks at home should top off their tanks and tighten the cap to prevent spills. Above-ground tanks should also be strapped to a secure fixture to prevent tipping in case of flooding.

           

Amler said food and generator safety are essential during and after any power outage or emergency.

 

• Before a storm hits, set your refrigerator to the coldest setting to keep food fresh longer if you lose power.

• Keep your refrigerator closed as much as possible. Do not assume refrigerated foods are safe.
• Foods that are fully frozen are safe to use.
• Foods that have warmed to room temperature for more than two hours or have come into contact with flood waters should be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out.
• During a prolonged outage, discard these foods if they were not kept below 45 degrees Fahrenheit: meat, poultry, seafood, cold cuts, hot dogs, eggs, cream, sour cream, yogurt, milk, custards, puddings, soft and shredded cheeses, cut fruit, cooked vegetables, pasta, casseroles, unbaked cookie and bread dough, gravy, creamy salad dressings, fish sauces, hoisin sauce, opened spaghetti sauce and garlic in oil.
• After disposing of spoiled food, disinfect the refrigerator to avoid further contamination.
• Discard any cans of food that are rusted, dented or open.
• If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again.
• Storm clean-up can produce a great deal of garbage, which invites insects and rodents. Store your garbage in watertight, rodent/insect-proof containers with tight-fitting covers.

 

Acting Commissioner Terrance Raynor of the Department of Public Safety encouraged motorists to stay off the roads when major storms are in the forecast. Flash-flooding can quickly occur, swamping vehicles and putting motorists in significant danger.

 

Residents and business owners with generators are reminded of the following safety tips:

• Never run a generator in a basement, garage, porch or carport. Generators produce carbon monoxide that can quickly be lethal indoors.  Only operate a generator outdoors and away from open windows.
• Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Overloading your generator can damage it and any appliances connected to it. Fire may result.
• If your generator has a detachable fuel tank, remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling.

If you lose power, call Con Edison or NYS Electric and Gas directly. The phone numbers are: Con Ed power outage or gas and electrical service problems: (800) 75-CONED; NYSEG electricity power outage: (800) 572-1131; NYSEG gas power outage: (800) 572-1121.

Wishnie said families should also consider what additional preparations to make for people with special needs or who care for the elderly, infants or pets. Family members also should plan for how they will communicate if local phone service is not available or is overwhelmed by high demand.

Practical tips on these and other topics can be found at: https://emergencyservices.westchestergov.com/severe-weather

or https://www.ready.gov/