Hurricane Season is Here – Are You and Your Family Prepared?

Put together an emergency supply kit and sign up for local weather and emergency alerts

NEW CITY, NY, - The Rockland County Department of Health reminds residents that hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near-normal or average Atlantic hurricane season; the forecast is for a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

It's important for residents to know how to get up-to-date information about storms in the area, and how to get timely alerts that let you know what you need to do to stay safe, including evacuation. The best way to receive timely weather alerts is by signing up for NY-Alert https://alert.ny.gov/, a free service that provides weather and other emergency-related alerts.

"We encourage everyone to take these important steps to be prepared for a storm, especially if you lose power or are told to evacuate," said Eric Medina, Director of Emergency Preparedness/Public Health:

• Have plenty of food and water on hand in your emergency supply kit to last up to ten days. This includes one to two gallons of water per person daily for drinking and personal hygiene needs, and enough food for you and your family. Use food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked, such as peanut butter and ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables.
• Have battery-operated radios and flashlights available, along with extra batteries.
• Have a first aid kit available and an adequate supply of prescription drugs and other medicines on hand for those who need them.
• Store important documents such as insurance policies, medical records, bank account numbers, and social security cards in waterproof containers. Also have cash (in small bills), checkbook, and credit and ATM cards readily available.
• Follow local news and emergency broadcasts that will provide up-to-date official information during a storm emergency, including recommendations to evacuate specific areas.
• Visit CodeRED https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/5B816BC052CD to set up an account to be notified by our local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or text "registercodered " to 99411.
• Residents with limited mobility or special needs can enroll in the Rockland County Access & Functional Needs Registry http://rocklandregisters.com so that emergency personnel are aware of your needs in the event of an emergency.
• Have plenty of supplies for your pets and know where to relocate them during a storm if you must leave your home. Most shelters will not accept pets, only those that are "service animals."

For more information about extreme weather and power outages, visit the New York State Department of Health: www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/flood/.