Huntington Prepared For Storm

After years of preparation and practice, the Town of Huntington stands ready to help residents in the event that Hurricane Irene hits Long Island, according to local officials in full preparation mode as the storm strengthens near the Bahamas.

Forecasters project the Category 3 hurricane to travel up the East Coast with possible landfall anywhere from South Carolina to Massachusetts. Whether a full blown hurricane or a tropical depression by the time it reaches Long Island, town officials are not taking the storm lightly with extreme weather anticipated to reach Huntington sometime Sunday.

"We are in the middle of our preparations which involves making sure that our vehicles are serviced, our equipment is gassed up and that all systems have been tested and are a go in our emergency operation center," said A.J. Carter, the town information officer.

Town Supervisor Frank Petrone, a former regional director for FEMA, has scheduled a Friday morning meeting with department heads at Town Hall for a report on town preparation efforts, according to Carter.

Carter said maritime officials have been instructed to photograph beaches in case of possible erosion form the hurricane.

Available at and the Senior Center, Hurricane Preparedness Handbooks are being distributed by the town to provide residents with hurricane preparedness information. Updated yearly, the guide includes emergency phone numbers, shelter locations, internet links, pet safety and hurricane history.

Included in the manual is instructions on assembly of disaster supply kits and items necessary to weather storms. Also available online and on the town website, the handbooks will be distributed at public libraries and fire houses Friday.

"It talks about what people can do to prepare for a hurricane and what they can do in the aftermath," said Carter. "It's important for people to be prepared, be safe and be informed."

Carter encouraged resident to access the Town of Huntington Facebook book page and view a 2009 preparedness seminar video.

Click on cover to view Huntington's Hurricane Preparedness Handbook.