As the city braces for the impact from Hurricane Irene, here's what residents can do to prepare for the storm that is expected to hit on Saturday and last into Sunday or Monday:
Determine if you live in an evacuation zone. Go to www.nyc.gov/hurricanezones or call 311 to see if you should evacuate.
If you live in an evacuation zone, prepare a disaster plan. Coordinate with your household members what to do, how to find each other and how to communicate if a hurricane strikes.
Know where to go - the city strongly recommends evacuees stay with friends or family who live outside the evacuation zone boundaries. For those who have no other shelter, the city will open hurricane shelters throughout the five boroughs.
To find your evacuation center, go to www.nyc.gov/hurricanezones or call 311.
In Queens, the city has listed the following as evacuation centers:
John Adams High School at 101-01 Rockaway Blvd.
Grover Cleveland High School at 21-27 Hinrod St.
Aviation High School at 45-30 36th St.
Bayside High School at 32-24 Corporal Kennedy Blvd.
Belmont Racetrack at Hempstead Turnpike and Cross Island Parkway
Flushing High School at 35-01 Union Street
Forest Hills High School at 67-01 110th St.
Hillcrest High School at 160-05 Highland Ave.
JHS 185 at 147-26 25th Dr.
Newcomers High School at 28-01 41st Ave.
Newtown High School at 48-01 90th St.
PS 19 at 98-02 Roosevelt Ave.
Queens College at 65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Queensborough Community College at 222-05 56th Ave.
Bryant High School at 48-10 31st Ave.
York College at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.
If you do not live in an evacuation zone, assemble an emergency supply kit. All areas of the city could face hurricane-related hazards, including high winds, flooding and loss of utilities.
An emergency supply kit should include:
One gallon of drinking water per person per day
Nonperishable, ready to eat canned foods and manual can opener
First aid kit
Flashlight
Battery operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
Whistle
Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials and eyedropper for adding bleach to water
Personal hygiene items
Phone that does not rely on electricity
Child care supplies
If a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued, make sure to:
Bring inside loose, lightweight objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
Anchor objects that will be unsafe to bring inside, like gas grills or propane tanks. Turn off propane tanks.
Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors.
Place valuables in waterproof containers or plastic bags.
For travelers, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is coordinating with the Governor's Office, Mayor's Office and regional offices of emergency management to implement its hurricane plan
Extra personnel are being brought in over the weekend to prepare facilities and infrastructure by clearing drains, securing work sites against possible high winds, checking and fueling equipment, stocking supplies, and establishing plans to move equipment and supplies away from low-lying areas as needed.
Because of the severity of the wind and rain associated with a hurricane, there may be partial or full shut down of our services to ensure the safety of customers and employees. They have evacuation plans if ordered to implement them by Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Cuomo.
Riders are being urged to check mta.info frequently and to consider the impacts of this storm when making travel plans through the weekend.
The Port Authority said all its airports are stocked with bottled water, diapers, cots, blankets and pillows to assist stranded passengers. Every passenger terminal also has at least one food vendor that is required to stay open 24 hours a day.
High wind procedures for bridges, including possible bans on tractor trailers and motorcycles are under review, and tunnel personnel are preparing all regular and emergency pump and generator systems.
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