Senator Flanagan Teams With Area Supermarkets To Help Residents Prepare For Hurricane Season

John J. Flanagan

September 10, 2007

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) announced that residents are now able to obtain emergency preparedness information at their local supermarket. In a joint program with area supermarkets, Senator Flanagan will be supplying the stores with the Get Ready! Hurricane Preparedness brochure for free distribution to residents.

This partnership with Stop & Shop, King Kullen, Waldbaum’s, ShopRite and Pathmark supermarkets will help educate residents on how to prepare their homes should a hurricane strike our area.

"I thank the participating stores for taking part in this program and urge everyone to get prepared. While Long Island has avoided a major hurricane, we must all remain vigilant in our preparation and these brochures are designed to help in that effort," stated Senator Flanagan.

After a hurricane warning is issued many residents rush to their local supermarket to stock up on necessities that could be needed in the event of a power outage. Senator Flanagan’s Get Ready! brochure informs residents about items that they should have handy in the house this time of year such as water, nonperishable foods, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid supplies, medications and other family needs.

Experts say Long Island is long overdue for a major category hurricane. Although Hurricane Gloria was a relatively weak category 2 storm when it hit Long Island in 1985, it still hit the shores of the region with 85 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 111 mph. In the aftermath of that storm, more than 200,000 Long Island residents had to evacuate low lying areas and over 683,000 lost electrical power.

According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) web site, an early season forecast stated an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season - up 5% from 2006. This prediction indicates a continuation of above-normal activity that began in 1995.

Residents who are unable to get a copy of Get Ready! Hurricane Preparedness brochure at a participating store can get order onevia the Internet.

If you would like more information about preparing for emergencies, please visit Senator Flanagan's Emergency Preparedness web site page.