Hurricane May Follow Earthquake in Northeast U.S.

Local Emergency Service Officials are tracking Hurricane Irene, which is threatening the Eastern Seaboard.

The National Weather Service is reporting that Irene could cause tropical storm conditions in Pearl River Sunday, so emergency services such as the Orangetown Police and Highway Departments are already keeping an eye on the weather reports in case the storm hits Orangetown.

"We are tracking it," Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty said. "I’ve been on the NOAA (National Weather Service) site a couple of times. I asked somebody about it and they said we’re defintey going to get wind. Wind is the thing about a hurricane that knocks the trees down and things like that. The water is not a bargain either, but yu can have a lot of wind and trees are toppled.

"This is what we do. If the storm gets bad, we’ll start an emergency operations center here."

Nulty said the Police Department may bring in more staff to deal with the impact of the storm if necessary.

"The Highway Dept and Police Department, emergencies are what we do," Nulty said. "My (emergency management) officer, Hugh Johnson, will be on top of it and then we will react to whatever happens."

Nulty said it is important that residents prepare if the storm does hit the area hard. 

"People should have batteries, flashlights and a radio in case the power does go out," Nulty said. "They ought to make sure they have plans to stay in touch with relatives who maybe need some assistance. Make sure you you have your lawn furniture and things you don’t want to blow away put away. If everybody’s garbage cans go out in the street, somebody can have an accident."

On its current course, the storm would be weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm or less by the time it reaches the Lower Hudson Valley, but the path could change.

According to this Yahoo News report, Hurricane Irene was upgraded to a major Category 3 storm Wednesday and is forcing evacuations off the coast of North Carolina. Federal officials are warning that Irene could cause "flooding, power outages and more all along the East Coast as far north as Maine."

The National Weather Service is tracking the storm here.

Below are some hurricane safety tips from the Rockland County Office of Fire & Emergency services:

• Develop a family plan for survival and property protection.
• If your residence is in a potential flood or storm surge zone, be prepared to evacuate when officials recommend it.
• Make arrangements now for the elderly and others with special needs, such as those who depend on electrical life support
• Identify a friend or family member from a non-threatened area, whom you will keep informed about your family's plans.
• Plan what you will do with your pet.
• Inventory personal property; safely secure all records and valuable documents in a watertight place.
• Have materials available to protect your doors and windows.
• Have emergency cash or traveler's checks saved.
• Put together a family hurricane evacuation kit (battery-operated radio, flashlight, first aid kit, two-week supply of medicine, blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing, infant necessities, personal items, important papers such as a valid ID, checkbook, cash, credit cards and ATM cards)