The following was sent to YWN by the Achiezer Organization:

SINCE THE TIME OF OUR LAST UPDATE SENT SHORTLY BEFORE 4 PM YESTERDAY, THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES HAVE EVACUATED THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN A DOZEN HANDICAPPED RESIDENTS HAVE SAFELY BEEN RELOCATED.

HOWEVER THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE REMAINED AND NOT LEFT THEIR HOMES.
IN RESPONSE TO NUMEROUS CALLS RECEIVED, WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE LAST HOUR, THAT THE EVACUATION ORDER IS STILL ACTIVE. THIS IS NOT MEANT TO PANICK ANYONE, YET IT MEANS THAT YOU IF YOU DO PLAN ON LEAVING FLOOD ZONE AREAS, WHICH INCLUDE ALL OF THE ROCKAWAYS AND FIVE TOWNS, THEN YOU SHOULD DO SO RIGHT NOW.
THE 878, BROOKVILLE BLVD, ROCKAWAY TURNPIKE AREA ARE ALREADY ALL CONGESTED AND WILL SOON BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCESS. THE MARINE PARK BRIDGE AS WELL AS THE ATLANTIC AND LONG BEACH BRIDGES HAVE ALL HAD SPORADIC CLOSURES AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE SHUT COMPLETELY ONCE THE WINDS HIT 55 MPH.

AGAIN WE ALL CONTINUE TO HOPE THAT ALL THESE PREPARATIONS AND EVACUATIONS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT ARE ENTIRELY PRECAUTIONARY, YET AS OF THIS HOUR THE PATH AND FORECAST OF THIS STORM HAS NOT WEAKENED OR CHANGED COURSES.

WE URGE YOU TO KEEP YOUR CELLPHONES CHARGED AND TO LISTEN FOR NEWS UPDATES REGARDING ANY CRITICAL CHANGES OR INSTRUCTIONS.
WE WOULD ADVISE THAT ONCE THE EVACUATION ORDER IS SUSPENDED YOU SHOULD NOT DRIVE ON THE ROADS AND RATHER CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.

BOTH NYC AND NASSAU GOVERNMENT WEBSITES, AS WELL AS 311 HAVE CLEAR HOME SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS.

IF ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY FEELS THAT THEY ARE UNSURE WHAT TO DO, REQUIRE ANY SORT OF INSTRUCTIONS, OR GUIDANCE, PLEASE CALL OUR HOTLINE AT 516-791-4444.

IF ANYONE EVEN HAS A POTENTIAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT ANYTIME CALL HATZOLAH AT 718-230-1000/718-387-1750

This message has been prepared in conjunction with Achiezer, Hatzolah, NYC OEM, Nassau County OEM, Office of the Town of Hempstead, RCSP, and the office of Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.

(YWN Desk – NYC)