The head of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) says Long Island has made progress in hurricane preparedness since Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

LIPA chairman Richard Kessel visited Louisiana after the storm to help assess the damage, and he returned saying Long Island was in no way prepared to deal with a hurricane of such magnitude. Eight months after his trip, Kessel says many new contingency strategies are now in place. He says communication equipment has been issued, shelter sites have been added and plans have been laid out to assist evacuations.

An Island-wide drill is scheduled for June 2.

Related Link: National Weather Service