SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Southampton city officials were battening down the hatches ahead of another storm expected to hit the area Friday night.
According to Ryan Murphy, the city's code compliance and emergency management manager, Southampton city officials were monitoring the forecast and in communication with their partners at the National Weather Service. They were also in contact with emergency management partners at the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management.
“The previous state of emergency declaration is still in effect and will give us all day Saturday to cover the city in case emergency protective or response measures need to be taken,” Murphy told Patch.
Regular weather updates have been sent by the Southampton OEM to all relevant departments in the city, as well as other local emergency management partners, he said.
As Friday night's storm is expected to hit the coast with flooding and erosion, there are some areas of concern in the city of Southampton, Murphy said.
“The area on the west side of Shinnecock Inlet that has had significant dune erosion from the last several storms,” Murphy said. “Recent storms have eroded thousands of cubic meters of sand from this area.”
Murphy said the Suffolk County Department of Public Works worked tirelessly after the Dec. 18 storm to try to shore up that area, but the recent storm this week again caused significant damage.
“Suffolk County DPW has come out of the storm clearing the displaced sand from the roadway and putting it back on the dune, along with other efforts to help strengthen the dune structure to hopefully withstand tomorrow's storm,” he said.
Southampton city managers also extended a temporary ban on driving on the beach until Monday because of the impending storm.
While Friday night's rain isn't expected to be as heavy as the last storm, Murphy said, “We're still expecting 12- to 17-foot waves on ocean beaches. Those waves could cause significant damage once again. You will continue to monitor the ocean beaches throughout the storm.”
Individuals are once again encouraged to be extremely cautious during the storm, he added. High winds, rain and flooding can make travel dangerous.
“Individuals are urged to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. Drivers should also avoid driving through flood waters and remember the adage, 'Turn around, don't drown,'” Murphy said.
Particularly in low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas, residents are asked not to drive into flood waters and to be in a position to call for rescue from local fire and emergency services, he added.
