Politics & Government

City Officials Prepare for Storm; Evacuations Not Expected

The Rye City police department and Department of Public Works are fully prepared for Nemo, officials said.

The city’s army humvees last seen rescuing people during Hurricane Sandy are prepared for winter storm Nemo, although city officials do not expect this storm to impact the city as severely. The police and other city departments have been monitoring the storm closely with the National Weather Service.

The Coastal Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service may cause some basement flooding and road closures, but the city does not anticipate evacuations. Officials do not expect more than about one or two inches of flooding.

“Based on the current forecasts, we do not anticipate the need to evacuate homes,” Connors said. “Likewise, we do not anticipate opening a shelter, but we are prepared to do so if we experience widespread long term power outages or other conditions that would warrant it.”

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 The Department of Public Works has prepared its snow removal equipment and is ready to respond with salt spreaders and snow plows when the snow begins. The Police Department has prepared its four wheel drive vehicles, rescue equipment, and shelter supplies, and will be staging equipment so it will be readily accessible when needed, Connors said.

Connors urges residents to plan accordingly so they do not have to travel during the storm. Residents should stay off the road and if you do venture out, be prepared with a shovel, gas, charged cell phone, water and blanket, in case you become stranded, he advises.

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“In the event that we experience coastal flooding, the principal danger will be to those who attempt to drive through flooded roads. If a road is blocked, obey the posted detours.”

Con Edison has been preparing to deploy additional crews, and has contacted its life-sustaining equipment and critical medical customers.

Read the rest of Connors comments below: 

The snow ordinance is in effect from 3 to 6 a.m., but we ask residents to keep their vehicles off the roads to facilitate snow removal. Residents and snow removal contractors are also reminded not to push snow into the roadway, which impedes snow plowing and creates a hazard.

Fire hydrants should be kept clear so they can be accessed in an emergency. Following the storm, residents and business owners are reminded of their responsibility to clear sidewalks within twenty-four hours of the end of the storm.

General home and personal preparedness information can be found on the FEMA website at http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather, which provides advice on having important storm supplised like sufficient heating fuel, non-perishable food, water, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, and other supplies.


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