Kessel Addresses 2006 LI/NYC Emergency Management Conference
LIPA Prepares for Above-Average Hurricane Season
Melville, NY – May 31, 2006 – Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
Chairman Richard M. Kessel, in addressing the nearly 600 attendees of the 13th
Annual Long Island/New York City Emergency Management Conference that kicked off
today at the Hilton Long Island in Melville, urged Long Island to prepare now
for what forecasters say could be an above-average hurricane season along the
Atlantic Coast.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced last
week that the 2006 hurricane season could be a very active one in the Atlantic
Ocean. The outlook calls for the potential of 13 to 16 named storms, with eight
to10 hurricanes. Four to six of those storms could become “major” hurricanes.
NOAA officials have advised residents and businesses along the Atlantic Coast to
be prepared throughout the season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30.
“Long Island’s overhead electric system is especially vulnerable to coastal
storms and hurricanes,” said Mr. Kessel. “More than 81 percent or 50,607 miles
of Long Island’s electric transmission and distribution system consists of
overhead wires. LIPA has been working hard to strengthen the electric system,
but even with all of our efforts a Katrina-like hurricane or major tropical
storm could cause widespread outages across Long Island.
“Over the last eight years LIPA has invested nearly $1.75 billion dollars on
system improvements, which is why LIPA continues to lead New York State in
reliability for an overhead electric system,” said Mr. Kessel. “But having
visited New Orleans less than one month after Katrina swept through with its
devastating rains, winds and floods, a similar storm hitting Long Island would
cause catastrophic damage to LIPA’s electric system.
“While LIPA will do everything humanly possible to reconstruct its electric
system after a hurricane to restore power as quickly as possible, residential
and commercial customers need to take the planning steps necessary to cope with
the loss of power for at least several days. In cases of catastrophic damage to
the system, as we saw with Katrina, some customers could be out of power for
weeks.”
In the event a hurricane or tropical storm hits Long Island, LIPA’s electric
customers are encouraged to follow these storm preparation tips:
- Develop a family plan for survival and property protection.
- Have flashlights, battery-operated radios and extra batteries on hand.
- Know the hurricane risks in your area. Learn the storm surge history and
elevation of your area.
- Learn safe routes inland away from the Ocean or LI Sound.
- If your residence is in a potential flood or storm surge zone, be
prepared to evacuate when officials recommend it.
- Make arrangements now for elderly and others with special needs such as
those who depend on electric life-support devices.
- Inventory personal property; safely secure all records and valuable
documents in a watertight place.
- Have material available to protect your doors and windows.
- Put together a family hurricane evacuation kit.
- Learn the location of official shelters.
- Ensure that enough non-perishable food and water supplies are on hand to
last at least three days, longer if possible.
- Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed of dead wood.
- Determine where to move a boat in an emergency.
- Individuals with special needs or others requiring more information
should contact their local emergency management office.
Mr. Kessel is also encouraging LIPA customers to participate in the 3rd
Annual Island-wide “I’m Ready” hurricane preparedness drill, which will be held
on June 2 from noon to 3PM. To demonstrate a willingness to plan for
emergencies, customers should reduce non-essential electric use during the
drill. Customers should also go to LIPA’s Web site, www.lipower.org, for more
information on emergency preparation, emergency response agencies and weather
forecasting/hurricane tracking resources.
Should a hurricane or tropical storm strike Long Island, the first rule of
safety is to stay away from downed power lines. Immediately after the storm,
outages will be evident to LIPA via its computerized control systems. LIPA’s
computer systems automatically detect neighborhood service interruptions and
begin the restoration process by alerting systems operators of the outage.
However, should anyone notice a downed electric line or experience a single
service interruption, call 1-800-490-0075. |
