Meteorologists are predicting Tropical Storm Hanna, which has killed more than 60 people in the Caribbean, could pound Long Island this weekend.
Hanna hit the Dominican Republican Tuesday after devastating Haiti and killing one in Puerto Rico. The Carolinas are bracing for the storm by boarding up homes and stacking sandbags.
Emergency management teams on Long Island are gearing up for potential problems this weekend, including dangerous surfs, strong winds and rain. They say they?ve begun cleaning out storm drains and catch basins.
They expect Hanna to hit Long Island as a tropical storm, but are preparing for hurricane force winds and rain just in case.
LIPA CEO Kevin Law says plans are in place to restore power to Long Island residents if the storm packs a punch. "Hundreds of extra crews we'll have available for the weekend,? Law says. ?We've already told people to be prepared.?
Some residents say they?re stocking up on bottled water and first aid materials. Specifically, officials say they will keep an eye on Bayville, Centre Island and Freeport for damage.
Red CrossFEMANew York City/Tri-State Tropical Weather Web PageNational Weather Service Nassau County Emergency Management LIPA Suffolk County Emergency Management Suffolk Emergency Operations Center: 631.852.4900LIPA - 1-800-490-0075 - For service interruptions and downed power lines