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Tracking Hurricane Sandy: Guv Declares Emergency

Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to make landfall in the coming days along the East Coast.

Maximum sustained winds have steadily decreased over the last 24 hours as it moved through the Bahamas, but the storm is a big weather system expected to bring heavy rainfall, high winds and coastal flooding.

The National Hurricane Center reports Sandy is a Category 1 storm as of Friday at 5 p.m., packing 75-mph winds (down from 105 mph). The hurricane has been blamed for at least 41 deaths in the Caribbean. 

Cuomo said a state of emergency allows for the mobilization of resources to local governments that otherwise are restricted to state use only and suspends regulations that would impede rapid response.

“As we prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Sandy hitting New York State, I am activating all levels of state government to prepare for any potential impacts,” Cuomo said. “We are working with federal and local partners to follow storm developments and organize a coordinated response plan. With unpredictable weather conditions, we are taking the greatest precautions – especially after our experience from last year’s storms. I urge New Yorkers to plan for hurricane conditions and follow news reports to stay updated on the storm’s progress.”

The latest forecast calls for the storm to eventually make landfall around Delaware by midday Tuesday.

With Jason Molinet

For more storm coverage, follow our WEATHER and HURRICANE groups.

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Anthony October 27, 2012 at 03:32 pm
Toys r us bayshore had tons of batteries......
Anthony October 27, 2012 at 03:32 pm
***has*** they are loaded with them
littleShamrock October 27, 2012 at 03:42 pm
Thanks Anthony :)
René Meyer October 27, 2012 at 04:08 pm
Many of us have solar lights in our yards, along walkways. Let the sun (when available) charge them and bring them indoors at night. You won't need batteries for a while.
Oh, and if you have storm drains in the road near your house, clean the leaves away from them now and several times during the rain, to help drainage. I'm always surprised how many people don't think of it.
littleShamrock October 27, 2012 at 04:12 pm
I think the leaves will cause the biggest problems on the roads. As long as residents try their best to pick up those fallen leaves, it will make a difference for those that have the inkling to drive (to get that much needed item) or utility & emergency & hospital folks that are called in.
Hikerr October 27, 2012 at 04:35 pm
Don't stress the storm. The world is supposed to end Dec. 21.
E-Brill October 27, 2012 at 04:58 pm
I am a meteorology major at plymouth state university, up in new hampshire, but I am currently home for the semester. I graduated from Sachem East in 2010. For this specific part of the island (meaning Farmingville, Holtsville, away from the water), the biggest issue will be the wind, as gusts could approach 75-80 mph, with consistent wind at 35ish mph. The biggest thing is to make sure that you don't leave your car near any trees, and that loose objects (i.e. garbage cans, lawn chairs, decorations for gardens, etc) are inside a sturdy place
Lynn October 27, 2012 at 04:59 pm
I first heard about the storm on Thursday morning when checking email. Newsday and News12 hadn't even reported the storm yet. That's when we decided to go out and get some batteries, water, during our usual food shopping. No lines, no crowds, plenty of D batteries, etc.
It was funny because it almost felt like someone would see the batteries in our cart and figure it out and the swarm would start :).
Art Lynch October 27, 2012 at 05:05 pm
Not to worry: you've got a whole lot of company. When Gloria hit us, power was out for seven days here in Springs. (We're all-electric). Went to Springs FD for water. The only way we survived mentally was to laugh at the mess the whole neighborhood was in. There was an awful lot of laughing on line at the firehouse! If you really have emergency medical problems, etc., there really was emergency help available!!! Remember, Allison, we're lucky to live in an area where people do care about each other and are always willing to help out when necessary. Good luck!
Art Lynch October 27, 2012 at 05:07 pm
Marianne: Ditto! : )
K. October 27, 2012 at 05:09 pm
E-Brill, there is no greater source on the planet than the plymouth state university meteorology department. Your team provides one of the most informative and entertaining sites for weather geeks like myself. If there was anyone I would heed it would be the local graduate of the this program up in NH. Its the cream of the crop.
Art Lynch October 27, 2012 at 05:09 pm
LOL! (That'll teach ya' !!!) Needed that laugh; thanks! (We're all gonna be in the same boat (oops!...bad choice of words). We'll need all the laughs we can get!!! Good luck, Mel!
littleShamrock October 27, 2012 at 05:15 pm
.. oh dont get that started now ;)
Art Lynch October 27, 2012 at 05:17 pm
LOL!! Maybe the Springs FD will send voting machines house-to-house on their trucks so we can vote w/o having to drive? (Note to Springs FD: ...just kidding, guys.,,,just kidding.... : / )
jgreenberg October 27, 2012 at 05:19 pm
I appreciate your concern about prompt power restoration. May I just gently and kindly add one note? I grew up with a father who was in the electric-utility industry. He rose from being a meter-reader to an executive, so he'd climbed poles in driving electrical storms and watch entire lengths of power lines collapse under the weight of ice. He didn't forget that when he put on a suit and went to the executive suite. Utilities are businesses, and businesses can be corrupt and use bad judgment and much more. But the guys out there on the lines, in the bucket trucks -- all the men and women out in the storm and afterward, they have an ethic of service that borders on obsession. They risk their lives and routinely go above-and-beyond, 24/7, to get service back to people, and it must be terribly discouraging to them when the people they're committed to helping say not-so-good things about them. I offer this comment with respect and kindness. Thank you.
Art Lynch October 27, 2012 at 05:19 pm
Maybe so, Linda, but I gotta admit that (the original) story did have it's "light" moments.
Nassau Taxpayer October 27, 2012 at 05:21 pm
LIPA robocall warns to prepare for 7-10 day power outages.
May as well start the incompetence and malfeasance inquiries now.
Art Lynch October 27, 2012 at 05:22 pm
Congrats to your nephew and his bride! Neat idea about the kids' names!
jgreenberg October 27, 2012 at 05:23 pm
Actually, LIPA has sent e-mail messages to every customer and provided links to its emergency operations center. You can register to easily text LIPA if your power goes down. Perhaps the message went out after your post. I offer this with kindness and respect. Thank you.
littleShamrock October 27, 2012 at 06:04 pm
CYA baby.
b October 27, 2012 at 07:58 pm
I don't understand how we have a state of emergency before there is anything remotely like an emergency. LIPA telling there will be power outages, again, no storm in site. What is the purpose of this? Yes hurricanes can be destructive, they can also blow out to sea!
highhatsize October 27, 2012 at 08:14 pm
to Lynn:
Years ago there was a hurricane that cut power to my neighborhood for about five days. Needless to say, when folks ventured out after the storm, nothing capable of producing light or heat was available anywhere. After a night in the dark, I happened to be patronizing Sears in Smith Haven Mall for some reason. I was in the tool department and noticed that there was a pile of propane camp stoves, lanterns and gas tanks on display - - WHAT!? After blinking several times to clear my vision, I saw that it was NOT a mirage. So I promptly appropriated two camp stoves, three lanterns and eight propane canisters which I ferried to the cash register in repeat trips. Soon the news spread and customers came running to the department like wasps to fresh meat. By the time I left, carting my plunder in numerous Sears bags like a pack mule, the tool department was teeming with folks standing on tremendously long cashier lines, piles of booty at their feet which they nudged along as their turns approached. The mound of propane gear, which had been about four feet tall and around eight feet in diameter, was gone. I figure that Sears unloaded a truckful of the stuff secretly to prevent a riot and that I just happened to arrive on the scene at the very moment that they unveiled the treasure trove. I was a hero to my neighbors (briefly) when I redistributed some of the goodies.
K. October 27, 2012 at 08:53 pm
Eveyone should take it easy on LIPA; they have never encountered Rain and Wind before. Being prepared would be a foolhardy act of responsibility.
Jerry Can October 27, 2012 at 08:58 pm
As I was driving around today, I could not believe the number of people outside blowing their leaves...Duhhh.
Jaguar-Guy October 27, 2012 at 09:07 pm
LIPA - We're Doomed.
Jaguar-Guy October 27, 2012 at 09:09 pm
Sheesh - got my call and thought we will be totally abandoned by these guys, again.
Nassau Taxpayer October 27, 2012 at 09:44 pm
With LIPA power down for "7 to 10 days" and electronic voting machines, how do we vote?
littleShamrock October 27, 2012 at 11:47 pm
shhh.. we're not supposed to think. THEY will hear you.
Dawn Andrew October 28, 2012 at 03:30 am
Be safe everyone. Really hope it is just all hype.
Francis Hunter October 31, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Was Northport NY hit hard by Hurricane Sandy?
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Michael Ganci (Editor) May 31, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for sharing! We have reposted in top news and shared on Facebook. Let us know how things go!Read More MG
United States Marine
Mickey June 13, 2013 at 09:56 am
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Nina Marie Arnold-Orlando June 11, 2013 at 09:10 am
is this the one Susan Lucci promotes? Ir so i want it
Robin Boyce June 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Yes, this is the one that Susan Lucci promotes...it was originally bought from HSN. Asking price isRead More $175