Hamptons Evacuations, Some Mandatory, Some Not…Yet

By Burke Wendt

3 minute 08/26/2011

Evacuating the Hamptons is no easy task, but is one that has begun, at least in part, as we track Hurricane Irene up the coast toward Long Island. Several areas have initiated voluntary evacuations, while the Village of Westhampton Dunes ordered a mandatory evacuation of Dune Road by 10 a.m. Saturday morning, when there will be no incoming traffic.

Southampton Village officials called a voluntary evacuation of Meadow Lane, which went into effect at 1 p.m. on Friday. It is possible that a mandatory evacuation will come into effect on Saturday at 9 a.m. The decision on the mandatory evacuation will be made Saturday morning at 8 A.M. All beaches were closed as of 2 p.m. on Friday.

“The Town is on full alert and monitoring the situation carefully, knowing the storm has the potential to become severe,” Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said. “It is imperative that residents begin to prepare now, while there is time to stock up on supplies, take measures to protect homes, and clearly think through how to best protect family and loved ones should we be facing a strong storm.”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy ordered a mandatory evacuation of barrier beach communities on western Fire Island, which will commence at 3 p.m. on Friday. Officials have also said that mainland evacuations of flood prone areas on the South Shore are likely to begin on Saturday morning.

Additionally, Westhampton Beach Village Police Chief Ray Dean has asked all residents living south of Main Street and South Road to begin voluntarily evacuating. He went on to state that these evacuations would become mandatory as of 10 a.m. on Saturday.

On Thursday afternoon, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency in New York in preparation for Hurricane Irene’s potential impact. Governor Cuomo said, “I urge New Yorkers to personally prepare for hurricane conditions and to cooperate with emergency officials if needed. By working together, we will all be able to face this storm in a calm and organized manner.”

For updated emergency information, check the Suffolk County website.