Mangano Orders Mandatory Evacuations, Announces Shelter Locations

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined this afternoon by Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi to announce further preparations in advance of Hurricane Irene. After discussions with the National Weather Service, it appears that Nassau County will experience a direct impact from Hurricane Irene on Sunday, with heavy wind and rain arriving tomorrow.

County Executive Mangano signed an Executive Order at 3:00 p.m. declaring a state of emergency in Nassau County, which provides the additional tools needed to deal with all situations and evacuations related to the hurricane.

The County Executive also signed an Evacuation Order and is now ordering a MANDATORY EVACUATION for all residents living south of Sunrise Highway, from the Queens line to Rockville Centre and South of Merrick Road, from Rockville Centre to the Nassau-Suffolk border.

This Evacuation Order also includes the MANDATORY EVACUATION of all residents on the north shore of Nassau County that reside in low-lying areas and storm surge zones. Low-lying are defined as 10 feet above sea-level or less.

All those residing in these areas must evacuate by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

It is essential that this evacuation begin prior to wind gusts that exceed 55 miles per hour. Once winds exceed this level, flying debris could be deadly. It is also essential that this evacuation begin immediately, as the MTA will shut down public transportation by noon on Saturday.

Residents should utilize coastal evacuation routes, which include: Peninsula Blvd, Long Beach Rd., Meadowbrook Parkway and the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway.

Residents should immediately contact friends and family for alternative sheltering locations if they reside south of Sunrise Highway, from the Queens line to Rockville Centre; south of Merrick Road, from Rockville Centre to the Nassau-Suffolk border; and low-lying areas and storm surge zones on the north shore.

“A Friends and Family Sheltering Plan will provide the most comfortable situation during the storm,” said County Executive Mangano.

Nassau County has opened public shelter locations, including: Nassau Community College, located at 1 Education Drive, Garden City; SUNY Farmingdale, located at 2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale; and Locust Valley High School, located at 99 Horse Hollow Road.

At 7:00 p.m. tonight, additional shelters will open at:

North Shore High School 450 Glen Cove Avenue Glen Head	Garden City High School 170 Rockaway Avenue Garden City	John F Kennedy High School 50 Kennedy Drive Plainview
New Hyde Park High School 500 Leonard Blvd. New Hyde Park	Glen Cove High School 150 Dosoris Lane Glen Cove	Sewanhaka High School 500 Tulip Avenue Floral Park
Plainview Middle School 121 Central Park Road Plainview	Great Neck North High School 350 Polo Road Great Neck	South High School 341 Lakeville Road Great Neck
Farmingdale High School 150 Lincoln Street Farmingdale	Manhasset High School 200 Memorial Place Manhasset	Division Avenue High School 120 Division Avenue Levittown
SUNY Old Westbury 223 Store Hill Road Old Westbury	Paul Schreiber High School 101 Campus Drive Port Washington	Weldon Howitt Middle School Van Cott Avenue Farmingdale
Westbury High School 1 Post Road Old Westbury	Mineola High School 10 Armstrong Road Garden City Park	Wantagh High School 3297 Beltagh Avenue Wantagh Open at 3:00 p.m. Saturday
Gerald Claps Career and Tech Center 150 Abbey Lane Levittown	Hicksville High School 180 Division Avenue Hicksville	CW Post College 720 Northern Blvd. Brookvile Open at noon on Saturday
	McKenna Elementary School 210 Spruce Street Massapequa Park

Specialty shelters for residents with pets, include:

Town of North Hempstead Shelter 50 Marino Avenue Port Washington Now Open

Bidaewee of Wantagh 3300 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh Open at 1:00 pm Saturday

Mitchell Park’s Field House 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd Uniondale Open at Noon on Saturday

All residents throughout Nassau County are reminded to tie down and secure all items outside their homes, as flying debris can be deadly.

“I also urge residents to assemble an Emergency Go-Kit for their family. Among other things, this kit should include medications, a first aid kit, flash light with extra batteries, a portable radio and water and dry food,” said Mangano. “During this time, I ask all residents to take caution, stay calm and follow the direction of law enforcement and emergency management officials.”

To learn more about assembling and Emergency Go-Kit, residents are encouraged to visit www.nassaucountyny.gov and click on the Hurricane icon.

All non-life threatening emergencies should be directed to the County’s special Non-Emergency Hotline at 1-888-684-4274. Residents should only contact 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency.