hurricaneAerialAs Westchester continues to monitor the track of Hurricane Joaquin, County Executive Robert P. Astorino is urging residents to review their emergency plans and obtain supplies to be ready if severe weather strikes Westchester this weekend or during hurricane season or the coming winter.

“We are tracking Joaquin and recommend that all Westchester residents stay updated, too,” Astorino said. “With any storm, it’s always smart to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best."

The National Weather Service currently projects that Hurricane Joaquin will remain offshore, however the forecast is subject to change and the storm is being closely monitored by the county officials and departments, including the Department of Emergency Services, the Office of Emergency Management and the Health Department.

Astorino noted that major storms have the potential to cause severe flooding, down trees and knock out power lines. The county executive said it is always good practice prior to a storm for residents to have several days’ worth of food, water, medicine and other critical supplies on hand in the event that they are stuck in their homes without power.

He also said residents should prepare a “go-bag” in case they are asked to evacuate on short notice during an emergency.

For information about preparedness and for other non-emergency issues, residents can call the 2-1-1 help line maintained by United Way.

Commissioner John M. Cullen of the Department of Emergency Services (DES) said residents should review their family emergency plan and obtain supplies now because they can be hard to find once a storm strikes.

Emergency management officials recommend that people create a disaster preparedness kit that includes: one gallon of water per person per day; a three-day supply of canned, packaged or other foods that do not need refrigeration or need to be cooked; a manual can opener and eating utensils; flashlights and batteries; a first aid kit; and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. 

Foods that can be stored include ready-to-eat canned meats and fish; protein or fruit bars; dry cereal and granola; peanut butter; nuts; crackers and canned fruit juice.

“Follow our advice to keep your family and your food safe during and after this or any storm,” said Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health.

If you lose power, here’s how to ensure you feed your family safely:

  • Keep your refrigerator closed as much as possible. Do not assume refrigerated foods are safe. If food is still fully frozen, it is safe to use.
  • Foods that have warmed to room temperature for more than two hours or have come into contact with flood waters should be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out.
  • During a prolonged outage, the following foods are potentially hazardous if not stored below 45 degrees Fahrenheit and should be discarded: meat, poultry, seafood, cold cuts, hot dogs, eggs, cream, sour cream, yogurt, milk, custards, puddings, soft and shredded cheeses, cut fruit, cooked vegetables, pasta, casseroles, unbaked cookie and bread dough, gravy, creamy salad dressings, fish sauces, hoisin sauce, opened spaghetti sauce and garlic in oil.
  • After disposing of spoiled food, disinfect the refrigerator to avoid further contamination.
  • Discard any cans of food that are rusted, dented or opened.
  • If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. 
  • Storm clean-up can produce a great deal of garbage, which invites insects and rodents. Store your garbage in watertight, rodent/insect-proof containers with tight-fitting covers. If your garbage pick-up has been interrupted, check with your municipality to find out when it will resume.

Other storm-safety tips can be found at www.westchestergov.com/health. Highlights include: 

  • If you have a generator or a chain saw, fuel it up ahead of time, but operate it only outdoors away from open windows. Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Overloading your generator can damage it and any appliances connected to it. Fire may result. Never run a generator in a basement, garage, porch or carport. Generators produce carbon monoxide that can quickly be lethal indoors. If your generator has a detachable fuel tank, remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling.
  • Residents with oil tanks should top off their tanks and tighten the cap to prevent spills. Above-ground tanks should also be strapped to a secure fixture to prevent tipping in case of flooding.
  • If you lose power, call Con Edison or New York State Electric & Gas directly. The phone numbers are: Con Ed power outage or gas or electrical service problems, (800) 75-CONED; NYSEG electricity power outage, (800) 572-1131; NYSEG gas power outage, (800) 572-1121. 
  • Contact United Way’s helpline by dialing 2-1-1 for non-emergency services and information. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Translation services are available in over 200 languages; hearing-impaired persons can access 2-1-1 through 7-1-1. 

Cullen said families also need to consider what additional preparations may be necessary for people who have special needs or who care for the elderly, infants or pets. Family members also should plan for how they will communicate if local phone service is not available or is overwhelmed by high demand.

Practical tips on these and other topics can be found at: http://keepingsafe.westchestergov.com/be-prepared and www.ready.gov.

Astorino said people should also consider joining emergency preparedness and response groups, such as volunteer fire and ambulance departments, and participating in efforts sponsored by not-for-profits, such as The United Way and The Red Cross. 

“During the storms in recent years, volunteers provided invaluable help to many in their communities,” Astorino said. “In times of crisis, we all need each other.”