Bayville, Town of Oyster Bay prepares for Tuesday’s tropical storm

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All of Long Island, including the North Shore, is now under a Tropical Storm Warning as Isaias churns up the East Coast, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm is predicted to bring heavy rain and winds, with gusts up to 70 mph.

It could also bring flooding in low-lying areas near the coast and power outages.

NWS forecasters are predicting Isaias will lash the Northeast from Tuesday into Wednesday, with the storm dissipating Thursday.

Bayville Mayor Bob De Natale said that the village is no stranger to storms and that Department of Public Works and village officials are prepared for whatever comes Bayville’s way.

“We have Department of Public Works at standby and they’re very capable, they’re well trained” De Natale said. “We do have flooding issues and we have pumps that are put in to service as they’re needed and hopefully, hopefully this storm won’t be as bad on the North Shore of Long Island as some people are fearing.”

The Town of Oyster Bay is working to clear drains and basins, prepare chain saws that would address down trees and securing assets in anticipation for Tuesday’s storm.

 Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino is also urging Town of Oyster Bay residents to update and develop their family emergency plans, emergency kits, sheltering plans.

"Superstorm Sandy taught us that given our location as an island, we are vulnerable to the Atlantic Ocean and susceptible to the powerful and destructive nature of hurricanes,” Saladino said. “With Hurricane Isaias staring in our direction, it is critical that residents be prepared and take all [storm] warnings seriously.”

The Town of Oyster Bay, due to the storm, has also postponed its “Celebrate America” Fireworks Show and Drive-In Concert at Tobay Beach that was scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4. The event will now be held on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. The show will feature an Aerosmith tribute band with a fireworks show by Grucci.

The storm is on track to strike the Carolinas with 70 mph winds and heavy rain around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, and from there, it is expected to continue moving northward, reaching Long Island between 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, the NWS states on its website.

Long Islanders are urged to prepare in advance with food, flashlights and emergency supplies, officials said. On Monday, local governments like the City of Long Beach were out reinforcing beach dunes to protect against storm surge, which caused much of the damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Below is the Tuesday afternoon forecast for Long Island from the NWS:

  • Wind
  • Peak Wind Forecast: 45 to 55 mph, with gusts to 70 mph.
  • Window for tropical storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening.
  • Localized storm surge possible
  • Peak storm surge inundation: There is potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within the surge prone areas.
  • Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning.
  • Peak rainfall amounts: 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts.

 Town of Oyster Bay homeowners should plan for the possibility of power outages as heavy rains and wind results in downed branches and trees, which can knock out power lines.  

To report downed trees or stranded cars during the storm, please call Public Safety at (516) 677-5350. With the loss of power comes the use of generators. Residents are reminded that generators should never be run inside the home or garage due to the dangers of carbon monoxide. Generators used in enclosed spaces can lead to death.

To report a power outage or electrical emergency, residents may contact PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0075.

Residents can stay alert for weather forecasts and messages from the town. Residents may also signup for emergency notifications at www.oysterbaytown.com.

More to follow.