Commack Keeps a Wary Eye on Earl

September is traditionally the most likely month for Long Island to get struck by a hurricane, and there is a storm currently impacting Puerto Rico that has the Commack School District keeping an eye to the south. Major Hurricane Earl, a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds is forecast to continue strengthening and pass dangerously close to Long Island.

With schools scheduled to open the Wednesday following Labor Day, school officials are closely monitoring the storm and prepared to take any necessary action that arises. Public Relations official Brenda Lentsch informed Patch that the school district has an extensive emergency action plan in place, with a variety of different steps depending on what effects the storm has on Commack.

Current estimates suggest that Earl will make its closest approach to Commack on Friday night into Saturday. The forecast maintains Earl as a strong Category 2 or 3 storm during this time. Commack also remains well within the National Hurricane Centers 5 day forecast cone, which uses a spread of models to offer an approximation of where a storm might be.

Lentsch said, "Our website, e-mail notification and connect ed telephone systems will reflect any measures we may have to take if Earl comes our way". 

For the latest on Hurricane Earl, visit the National Hurricane Center's official website or check back right here on Commack Patch.