News

Hurricane Earl fails to live up to the hype

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO
Hurricane Earl pushed up some larger than normal waves on Peconic Bay, as seen here about 5:45 p.m. from South Jamesport

Two to three inches of rain accompanied by tropical storm force winds of up to 55 miles per hour?

More like light rain and no wind at all.

That was the case for most of the day Friday, at least. But by about 6 p.m., rains had become heavier and more sustained. By 8 p.m., roads in Riverhead began to form puddles, and visibility was become more of a problem for drivers, although winds were still relatively mild in most areas.

It was all over about 11 p.m., save for some light drizzle.

Overall, Hurricane Earl’s impact on Riverhead Town did not live up to its pre-storm billing.

“We prepared, we did everything we had to do, but it doesn’t seem like anything is going to happen,” Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter said.

The town had signed an inter-municipal agreement with the Riverhead School District and was prepared to evacuate the town’s 2,500 mobile home residents to Red Cross shelters at the high school and middle school, using school district buses to transport them.

Although that wasn’t necessary, Mr. Walter said it was a good training tool for the town and its employees.

“I’d rather be prepared and look foolish if nothing happens,” he said. “I will not take any chances with storms like this.”
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Below is a running tally of News-Review storm coverage that began Thursday afternoon.

Friday

7:30 p.m.

Suffolk County issued this release:

This
is Suffolk County Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services with
an important message on September 3, 2010 @ 7:00 pm

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