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Mostly Cloudy Sunday update: Long Beach grapples with Hurricane Irene’s impact
Flooding, power outages reported as storm hits L.I., lifeguard station hits boardwalk
“It’s really, really bad,” Councilman John McLaughlin, a Bay Drive resident, said of flooding in Long Beach, after Hurricane Irene’s force created storm surges so strong, they broke through a 15-foot berm at National Boulevard, lifted Lifeguard Headquarters from its foundation and slammed it into the boardwalk.
“I’m actually heading over there now with [Chief of Lifeguards] Paul Gillespie,” said McLaughlin, adding that they were going to survey the damage. “I lucked out, but all of my neighbors are flooded. I thought it was coming over the bulkhead. Most of my neighbors just got hit really bad, and the oceanfront took a pounding.”
Though Irene’s winds have fallen to 65 mph, below the 74 mph dividing line between a hurricane and tropical storm, city officials say the storm system is still dangerous, and are continuing to advise residents to remain indoors as the storm passes through, especially since another high tide is anticipated to arrive at 8 p.m.
At 9 a.m., the National Hurricane Center downgraded Irene to a tropical storm. With high tides across the South Shore starting at 8 a.m. this morning, the National Weather Service said that 8- to 10-foot water levels are possible.
According to the Long Island Power Authority, multiple power outages were reported in Long Beach, affecting about 3,631 customers. The flooding prompted National Guard troops to assist Long Beach with damage throughout the city.
“The National Guard were out last night, and they are out today,” said Katie Grilli-Robles, a spokeswoman for Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.
Local radio personality Howie Appel posted on Facebook: “My heart aches for Long Beach. This damn Hurricane has ruined the gorgeous beach, flooded streets and homes, and caused millions in damage. Watching these images of the ocean water filling up the beach and boardwalk and the Lifeguard Headquarters on National ... floating away ... beyond sad.”
Resident Mindy Warshaw, who lives on Boyd Street in the Canals, said that she did not lose power, but that the street was completely flooded.
