Cuomo, Local Officials Prepare for Irene
As the East Coast braced for a weekend of possibly violent weather brought on by Hurricane Irene, Gov. Cuomo declared a State of Emergency and White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong urged residents to begin preparing for the storm by assembling a family emergency kit.
Chong recommended residents fill a large gym bag with bottled water, a flashlight and extra batteries, dry clothes, a first aid kit, an AM/FM radio and important papers. He also reminded residents to make sure their cars were gassed and electronic devices charged.
“Most important, have a plan and discuss with household members, on where to meet, who to call, and who to check up on, especially those who are elderly or have existing medical conditions,” Chong said in an e-mail. “During high winds and heavy rain, folks are best to stay inside. No one should be unnecessarily traveling outside on foot or in a car. It is important to leave the roads and streets clear of traffic so emergency vehicles can respond quickly and not be impeded.”
Chong urged White Plains residents to call 9-1-1 in an emergency and (914) 422-6111 for all non-emergency public safety needs.
Hurricane Irene is supposed to hit New York sometime around or just before Sunday evening, according to The Weather Channel website.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.