LB Officials: 'We Don't Take This Lightly," In Prepping For Henri

LONG BEACH, NY — A rare hurricane landfall for Long Island is possible this weekend. While the track for Henri is targeting the east end, Nassau County's south shore is not out of the woods.

"That's what happened with Sandy. People didn't think it was bad. They didn't maybe take it seriously," Joseph Febrizio, commissioner of Department of Public Works, told Patch.

As part of Long Beach's precautions, city officials are removing lifeguard stands and boardwalk garbage receptacles that could become projectiles in strong winds.

They are also making sure all storm drains are cleared and all of their equipment is on a full tank of gas.

"We're anticipating abnormal high tides, increased winds from the storm and potentially flooding, Febrizio said. "We don't take this lightly."

The timing could impact the consequences as high tide is 8:43 a.m. Sunday.

"On the management side, we bring the entire executive team together, which represents all of the departments and we sit and discuss what needs to be done, next steps and how to get the community prepared," City Manager Donna Gayden told Patch.

City officials are taking a proactive stance to the impending storm, and "I would hope that the residents would take this more seriously, as opposed to taking a lackadaisical attitude and approach to the storm," Febrizio said.

Long Beach could see a 4-foot storm surge. By contrast, the storm surge was between 18-20 feet for Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Officials urge residents to have supplies ready for a minimum of three days and have an evacuation route handy, just in case it becomes necessary.