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SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK / EDWARD P. ROMAINE, COUNTY EXECUTIVE

HURRICANE PLANNING AND PREPARATION

Graphic image of a hurricaneA hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.

All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast also experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricane can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and mircrobursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Slow moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.

Between 1970 and 1999, more people lost their lives from freshwater inland flooding associated with tropical cyclones than from any other weather hazard related to such storms.


The goal of this Hurricane Preparedness Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.


Emergency Planning

You can begin this process by gathering family members and making sure each person is well-informed on potential hazards and community plans. Discuss with them what you would do if family members are not home when a warning is issued. Additionally, your family plan should address the following:

Additional Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Additional Hazard Forecast Updates

Office of Emergency Management

FACEBOOK

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the county's response to natural or man made disasters. OEM personnel are rsponsible for the operations of the county's Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and work with local, state, and federal officials in shelter management, planning, resource management, and radiological response coordination.

Contact Information

Rudolph A. Sunderman

ACTING COMMISSIONER

Joseph Trzepizur

DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

102 East Ave.

Yaphank NY 11980