Hermine is expected to turn northward Sunday and strengthen

The National Weather Service [NWS] is calling her Post tropical Cyclone Hermine, but she is a storm, a big storm, and there is little time left to get ready. NWS says Hermine is expected to continue north-to-north west but stall off the New Jersey coast. The storm may continue to bring us some rain, strong gusty winds and storm surge through Wednesday. Her maximum sustained winds as of the 11 p.m. Saturday briefing were 70 MPH. Hermine has a large wind field. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center, according to the NWS.

The large waves associated with Hermine will likely cause significant beach erosion and dangerous rip currents. Boat owners are urged to secure their boats and dock lines, recharge batteries, and take all safety precautions. There is the possibility of marine damage according to the NWS.

The NWS says there may be damage to buildings and roadways near the coast, trees uprooted debris on roadways, and power outages.

Here are the tide times for Island Park and the Long Beach Back Bays

Sept. 4, 2016. Sun rise and set 6:25 a.m.-7:21 p.m.

low tide 4:27 a.m. (0.13ft), high tide10:51 a.m .(4.40ft), low tide 4:45 p.m. (0.34ft),

high tide 11:02 p.m. (4.17ft)

Sept. 5, 2016. Sun rise and set 6:26am-7:19pm.

low tide 5:01 a.mm (0.32ft), high tide11:33 a.m. (4.26ft), low tide 5:24 p.m. (0.53ft),

high tide 11:44 p.m. (3.92ft)

Sept. 6, 2016. Sun rise and set 6:27 a.m.-7:17 p.m.

low tide 5:34 a.m. (0.54ft), high tide12:15 p.m. (4.13ft), low tide 6:04 p.m. (0.74ft)

Sept. 7, 2016. Sun rise and set 6:27 a.m.-7:16 p.m.

high tide 12:29 a.m. (3.70ft), low tide6:08 a.m. (0.76ft), high tide 12:58 p.m. (4.01ft), low tide 6:48 p.m. (0.93ft)

The Town of Hempstead offered these tips for preparation before the storm

-Listen to local radio/TV stations for weather updates.

-Organize emergency supplies.

-Clear yard of loose objects (examples include outdoor furniture, trash cans, etc.)

-Secure your boat.

-Board windows and doors.

-Turn refrigerator/freezer to highest setting, opening only when necessary to maintain temperature in the event of a power outage.

Remember that strong storms can affect essential services, including water, gas, electricity, sewage and phone. To prepare, Supervisor Anthony Santino is offering a checklist of items for residents to include in a home survival kit.

Important groceries and items to have on hand:

-Battery-operated radio or a weather radio

-Bottled water

-Pre-moistened towelettes

-Apples (fruits)

-Peanut butter and jelly

-Applesauce (canned fruit)

-Crackers/bread

-Canned food

-Filled prescriptions

-Flashlight with batteries or new “shake” flashlight

-Non-electric can opener

-First aid kit

-Toilet paper

-Batteries

-Zip lock bags (great way to protect documents)

-Cash, small bills (ATMS and credit cards might not work)

-Point of contact out of state (in case local communications do not work)

-Photocopy of valuable documents (in zip lock bag)

-Garbage bags

Town municipal vehicles are fueled, equipment is moved to staging areas and Bay Constable boats are available if roads to the barrier beaches are flooded because of the storm.

Town employees are testing tree removal equipment and chain saws, as well as drain cleaning equipment. Trucks and street sweepers are ready to go, and marina staff is inspecting boats to ensure they are well secured.

The Town’s Swift 911 Emergency Notification System, which provides homes and businesses with recorded notifications via telephone, email or text message is up and running. Contact information in the Swift 911 database is based on phone directories and other publicly available sources. Update or add your contact information to the system by visiting www.toh.li/emergency-services/swift911-emergency-notification .

PSEG is offering safety guidelines for floods

If rising water threatens or you evacuate turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box

Electric current passes easily through water. Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Do not drive over-and do not stand near-downed power lines.

Downed lines will be hard to see in the rain and can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and chose another path.

If your home or business is flooded, PSEG Long Island can't reconnect power until a licensed electrician has inspected the electrical system. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make repairs and obtain verification before power can be restored.

•Save PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075

•Familiarize yourself with PSEG Long Island’s mobile-friendly website, online Outage Center and Outage Map at www.psegliny.com/stormcenter - for the most up-to-date information customers might need when the storm hits

•Sign up now for MyAlerts, PSEG Long Island’s text message service. Report a power outage by text and receive status updates by text and/or email. Since this requires an account number for a one-time registration, it is best to do it beforehand. To register, text REG to PSEGLI (773454) or visit the My Account section of the website www.psegliny.com/account

•Charge all mobile phones, tablets and other handheld devices in advance of the storm

•Make sure everyone in the family is prepared and knows what to do if there is an emergency

•Watch PSEG Long Island’s YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/psegli for tips on how to prepare your family and how power is restored after a storm

Oceanside Fire Chief J T Madden said they have their high water vehicles and boats checked and staged for any type of weather. Extra dispatchers will be there in case of higher volume of calls. Everyone is on standby. In the event of an emergency call 766-0245 or 911, in a non-emergency call the firehouse at 766-2717.

The Island Park Fire Department is on 8 hours shifts from now through Monday or Tuesday depending on the weather, all public works machinery is ready to go, all public works staff is on standby.

Contact the Island Park Fire Department at (516) 432-0738

McGinty and Fire Chief James Sarro will be out and about during high tide Sunday morning, going through every street.

The Island Park Department of Public Works is on 24-hour call. There DPW has an updated sanitation truck higher and dump truck, both are higher off the ground to function in flooding conditions.

If your house is in the process of being lifted contact your lifter and make sure it is anchored and safe.

The Red Cross recommends a disaster kit be packed for each family member, in case you have to leave due to an emergency.

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:

Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

Flashlight

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio - NOAA Weather Radio, if possible.

Extra batteries

First aid kit

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

Multi-purpose tool

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

Emergency blanket

Map(s) of the area

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)

Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)

Games and activities for children

Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)

Two-way radios

Extra set of car keys and house keys

Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

Whistle

N95 or surgical masks

Matches

Rain gear

Towels

Work gloves

Tools/supplies for securing your home

Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes

Plastic sheeting

Duct tape

Scissors

Household liquid bleach

Entertainment items

Blankets or sleeping bags