County: Port Jefferson Could Experience "Record Tidal Flooding"

As Hurricane Sandy bears down on the Northeast, Suffolk County officials have expressed concerns about "record tidal flooding" in the area of Port Jefferson and the north shore of Long Island to the east, according to a report from Robert Juliano, clerk for the village of Port Jefferson.

Juliano said that during a conference call to municipalities, County officials said they expect the storm to be a tropical storm not a hurricane when it hits landfall in the Southern New Jersey/Delaware  region with winds reaching 300 to 400 miles east.

“But they warned us not to be lulled into a sense of security because of the reach of the wind,” he said. “They expect eight-foot storm surge in our area - they specifically mentioned from Port Jefferson east - beginning possibly Monday midday.”

Brookhaven Town also released a statement saying that it recommends residents living coastal areas affected by the storm to take precautions and be prepared for evacuation.

"It is also recommended that those who evacuate make arrangements to relocate with family and friends who live in areas not affected by coastal flooding," the statement said.

Winds could be up to 50 to 60 MPH with gusts up to 80 MPH. The County also said that the storm could last over three tide cycles.

“And to expect ‘record tidal flooding,’” Juliano said.

Suffolk County and the Red Cross will open shelters across the County if evacuation becomes necessary. For more information, you can call the Red Cross at (631) 924-6911 or (800) 733-2767. You can also visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov  or www.redcross.org, and keep tuned to local radio and television stations for the latest news about the hurricane and announcements regarding evacuation orders.