Hurricane Sandy Update – News, Closures & Important Links

With Hurricane Sandy underway, I wanted to provide you with some important information regarding conditions and closures in our area. Please also visit my website, or find me on Facebook for the most up-to-date information regarding the storm. I will do my best to update these sites in real-time with the most recent information available.

>PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED TOMORROW, OCT 30th

>MTA SERVICE SUSPENDED DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY

Service on the NYC Subway and bus network, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Staten Island Railway is suspended. Access-A-Ride service, including subscription service is suspended until further notice. The MTA began an orderly shutdown of commuter rail and subway service, as directed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 28th. The decision to shut down the MTA network was made to protect customers, employees and equipment from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy as the strong storm continues its march up the east coast. This is only the second time the full network has been shut down preemptively in connection with a weather event.

Subway and rail road stations are closed and access to Penn Station has been restricted. Grand Central Terminal is closed.

The MTA Hurricane Plan calls for suspending service hours before the approach of winds of 39 mph and higher. That gives MTA crews time to prepare rail and subway cars, buses, tunnels, yards and buildings for the storm, then return to safety.

The duration of the service suspension is unknown, and there is no timetable for restoration. Service will be restored only when it is safe to do so, and after careful inspections of all equipment, tracks and other sub-systems. Even with minimal damage this is expected to be a lengthy process.

Customers and the media should monitor this website or call 511 for the most current service information.

> BRIDGE AND TUNNEL CLOSURES

The Holland and Hugh Carey (formerly the Brooklyn Battery) tunnels will be closed effective at 2:00 PM today, Oct. 29th.

Other closures will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on high winds, rainfall and roadway conditions.

In the event that wind speeds reach 60 MPH, the following bridges will be closed:

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Throgs Neck Bridge
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Henry Hudson Bridge
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge
George Washington Bridge
Goethals Bridge
Bayonne Bridge
Outerbridge Crossing

Drivers should note that speeds will be restricted to 25 mph once winds reach 30 mph and access by trailers, motorcycles, vans, mini buses, and vehicles with unstable cargo will be prohibited when winds reach 50 mph. Some bridge restrictions are already in place.

Motorists are urged to drive at reduced speeds when roadways are wet, and pay close attention to posted electronic messages for important information.

For the most recent updates regarding Port Authority and MTA bridge and tunnel closures visit the following websites:

MTA Alerts & Advisories: http://alert.mta.info/

Port Authority Alerts & Advisories: http://btt.paalerts.com/recentmessages.aspx

> POWER OUTAGES

New Yorkers are urged to call their local utility to report power outages and downed power lines. If you have a gas leak or other gas emergency, you should leave your premises immediately and then call your local utility or 911. Contact information is provided below:

Con Ed: 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633), or go to www.coned.com

National Grid (Metro Area Gas): 1-718-643-4050
MTA Bridges and Tunnels Update:

> ADDITIONAL  USEFUL  LINKS:

Hurricane Safety Tips: http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/hurricane-safety-tips-be-prepared
Link to map of NYC Evacuation Zones: http://project.wnyc.org/news-maps/hurricane-zones/hurricane-zones.html
National Weather Service – Track Hurricane Sandy: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/
Water Storing Tips from FEMA (Store at least one gallon of water per person per day): http://www.ready.gov/water
Hurricane Preparedness Tips: How to Maintain Your Generator: http://youtu.be/CuHt1EvSPmk
MTA Alerts & Advisories: http://alert.mta.info/
Port Authority Alerts & Advisories: http://btt.paalerts.com/recentmessages.aspx
Food Safety During Power Outages and Emergencies: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/food-safety

Please be safe and feel free to contact my office if you need additional assistance.

Sincerely,

ANDREW J. LANZA
Senator, 24th Dist.