Southampton Town Taking Steps To Keep Residents Safe As Nor'easter Readies To Pummel Region

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — As a powerful nor'easter sets its sights on Long Island, ready to pummel the shorelines and send fierce wind and rain ripping through the region, Southampton Town is gearing up to keep residents safe.

According to Ryan Murphy, public safety and emergency management administrator for Southampton Town, officials are monitoring the storm and have been for several days.

"We are in communication with the county and our village partners," he said. "All necessary town departments have been preparing and are ready to respond as necessary."

With the current forecast, "our largest concerns are coastal erosion and flooding," Murphy said. "We are working with Suffolk County to monitor the county area on the west side of Shinnecock Inlet that is most vulnerable. We will have staff out from emergency management as well as marine patrol and, obviously, the police, who will be keeping an eye on things throughout the storm."

He added that town trustees have suspended beach driving. And, he said, outreach has been conducted to boat owners.

In addition, awareness messaging has also gone out to 8,000-plus community members utilizing the town's new mass notification system.