NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The Red Cross is at the ready to respond to areas that might get hit by Henri this weekend, including Nassau and Suffolk counties where preparations are well underway for possible storm impacts.
Ahead of the storm's arrival in the Tri-State area, the Red Cross of Greater New York has been setting up shelters and gathering its volunteers in the event of evacuations.
"We have a lot of trained volunteers who are out there who have done this before who actually are veterans of Sandy and Irene," said CEO Mary Barnaby. "We can stand up a shelter in a moment's notice because you can't just do that when the hurricane hits, it's got to be ready."
Barnaby is recommending residents stay informed and make their own preparations.
"Listen to the local radio stations," Barnaby said. "Sometimes in your own particular community they have information available online or through local government, so please pay attention to that. If there is an evacuation requirement make sure that your car is full of gas and that you know what the evacuation route is."
Also avoid the beach and be sure to secure outdoor furniture, garbage cans and other loose items that could be turned into projectiles in the strong winds.
More information is available on the Red Cross Emergency app.
Hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings are in effect for parts of Long Island and Connecticut as Henri is forecast to impact the Tri-State area this weekend with storm surge, wind and rain.
Rough surf and rip currents will develop Saturday with showers and thunderstorms increasing Saturday night before Henri passes just east of our area Sunday into Sunday night, according to current projections.
Local power outages and coastal flooding are possible.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said they are preparing for the worst case scenario.
"We expect to see 8 to 12 foot waves with the potential for 12 to 16 foot waves if the storm tracks further to the west," said Bellone. "Our biggest concerns of course are coastal flooding and as always we're preparing for what could be hurricane force winds, Category 1 sustained to 74 mile per hour winds, gusts up to 90 miles an hour."
In an interview with WCBS 880 on Friday afternoon, Bellone said Suffolk County is "in full storm prep" and "bracing for a significant storm event."
Larger trucks to collect fallen trees and debris along with other storm equipment, including chainsaws, bucket trucks, chippers, and generators, are ready to go.
"We ask that you dial 911 only for life threatening emergencies," Bellone said. "When an event like this occurs 911 gets inundated with calls. We want to make sure that those that those lines are as clear as possible to deal with the real emergencies."
Nassau's Office of Emergency Management is also on high alert and closely monitoring Henri's track of Henri.
"Our incredible workforce stands ready to address potential issues impacting the County. While we prepare our emergency vehicles and check storm drains for debris, we are asking all residents to begin securing patio furniture and other loose items in and around their homes," Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. "At this time, we anticipate high tides, coastal flooding on both the North and South shore as well as gusty winds that may cause power outages."
Residents are being advised to have working flashlights, extra batteries, bottled water, candles and other basic essentials in case the power goes out.
In an interview with 1010 WINS on Saturday morning, Curran said crews are out in full force and the Office of Emergency Management has been activated.
"Our DPW crews are out there making sure the storm drains and the storm water outfalls are cleared, we have our high-axle vehicles gassed up and ready to go and put in strategic locations such as Island Park which we know is particularly prone to flooding," Curran said.
The county executive said between the rip currents, full moon, heavy rain, winds and high tides it's a real recipe for flooding.
PSEG Long Island has been warning residents could be without power for up to 10 days, which Curran said is "unacceptable."
"We live on an island, we have been through this many times, we know what happens," Curran said. "They have to be as ready as they possibly can for as little disruption as possible."