Community Corner

Nyack, Piermont Prepare for Irene

Rain could bring floods similar to June's

Hurricane Irene is expected to slam into Nyack, Piermont and the greater region this Sunday—and New York State has already .

Irene's presence has stirred up an understandable anxiety in Rockland's river villages—in June, swept through and , totaled cars and cost municipalities thousands of dollars in damages.

According to Accuweather, the area will experience the brunt of the storm during Sunday morrning and afternoon. Gusts of wind could near 100 mph, and the tropical rains may bring nearly seven inches of precipitation. will be open as an emergency center with 40 cots, and Gedney Street residents are urged to move their cars—if not themselves—to higher ground.

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Piermont, authorities are already putting together a plan of action. , the fire department and the highway department are coordinating efforts and preparing for road closures.

"We're used to flooding, we're in a low-lying area," explained Michael O'Shea, Piermont's chief of police. "We ask residents to monitor the weather and secure anything that could cause an accident or injury."

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

O'Shea also advises residents to stock up on water and batteries, have a flashlight handy and charge cell phones before the storm in case of an emergency. He also noted drivers should move their automobiles to higher ground.

Piermont areas that are more prone to flooding are Paradise Avenue and parts of Ferdon Avenue, O'Shea added.

In South-Nyack and Grandview, authorities are also prepping for the tempest. Like Piermont, the police station is situation on high ground and equipped with a back-up generator, allowing the building to function as a hub during the worst of Irene.

"The DPW will sandbag problem areas to redirect storm water," said Robert Van Cura, the chief. Van Cura said areas like River Road, particularly under the Tappan Zee Bridge, often see flooding. In June's floods, a woman's car became partially submerged there—while she was inside.

9W can also be a problem spot, Van Cura continued. And power outages can take a heavy toll on the Salisbury Point condos, where some elderly and disabled residents rely on elevators for transport.

Coordination is also key—EMS from around the county will be on call and checking on residents who have difficulty dealing with storm situations.

"We'll [work] with neighboring villages for collective solutions," Van Cura said.


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