Post Hurricane Sandy Announcements, Tips

Nassau County

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano will host a press conference Tuesday afternoon to provide an update regarding Hurricane Sandy assessment and response.

Residents with non-life threatening emergencies should dial 1-888-684-4274 for assistance with downed trees and roadside issues. All those with life threatening emergencies should dial 911.

For more information on storm preparation,  visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/hurricane.

Road Closures

The following Nassau County roads remain CLOSED until further notice:
·         Merrick Road at the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway
·         Merrick Road at Seaford Avenue in Seaford
·         Jerusalem Avenue at Cool Lane in Levittown
·         Merrick Road, east of the Meadowbrook Parkway in Merrick
·         New Hyde Park Road, south of Stewart Avenue in Garden City/New Hyde Park
·         Long Beach Road, near the Southern State Parkway in Baldwin/South Hempstead
·         North Village Avenue at Peninsula Boulevard (Mercy Hospital) in Rockville Centre
·         Merrick Avenue at Loynes Avenue in Merrick
·         Merrick Avenue at Old Mill in Merrick
·         Merrick Avenue at Glenn Curtiss Boulevard in East Meadow
·         Washington Avenue at 11th Street in Garden City
·         One lane is closed at Loring Road in Levittown
·         Round Swamp Road
·         Quaker Meeting House Road at Central Avenue in Farmingdale
·         Cantiague Rock Road at Saratoga Drive in Hicksville
·         Carman Avenue, north of Salisbury Park Drive in Westbury
·         Muttontown-Eastwoods Road at Bentley Road in Plainview
·         830 Salisbury Park Drive in Salisbury
·         Round Swamp Road, south of Kingswood Drive in Old Bethpage
·         Cove Road, west of Cove Neck Road in Oyster Bay Cove
·         Post Avenue, south of Old Country Road in Westbury
·         Brush Hollow Road, south of Route 25 in Westbury
·         Bryant Avenue in Roslyn Harbor
·         Berry Hill Road at Sherwood in Oyster Bay Cove
·         Glen Cove Road at the following intersections: north of I.U. Willets Road, north of the Long Island Expressway, and south of Lakeview Court
The following streets are OPEN but are experiencing downed power lines and/or trees:
·         Stewart Avenue, west of Newbridge Road in Hicksville
·         Stewart Avenue at Kathleen Place in Westbury

LIPA

According to the outage map, as of noon, more than 900,000 customers were without power.

"LIPA restoration crews are out in force and we will not rest until every single customer has power."

To report and outage, click here or visit lipower.org on your mobile device or Text OUT to 695472.

American Water
While there have been power outages in many of the areas we serve, they were prepared and have their facilities running on back up generation power.
As such, all systems are operational and water service remains uninterrupted. NOTE: None of their systems are on boil water advisories.
Beware of Scams
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice offered the following tips for avoiding unlicensed contractors or other scammers:

· Tree and debris removal contractors and home repair services are required to be licensed by the Nassau County Department of Consumer Affairs. A quick phone call to Consumer Affairs at (516) 571-2600 will tell you whether your contractor is licensed. Never sign any document or make any payment to a contractor before verifying their license.

· Always ask a contractor to provide their license and certificate of insurance once they are on your property. If a contractor tells you certain work is covered by your insurance, call your provider to confirm.

· Always obtain a written estimate and sign a written contract that includes a description of the work to be performed, what materials are included, when the work will be finished, the price, and the address and phone number of the contractor. Carefully read all agreements before signing. Make sure all blanks in a bid or contract are filled in. Speak with your neighbors about what they are paying for similar work.

· After natural disasters, unlicensed contractors and scammers from outside the region or a different state often come into the affected area promising quick repairs at discount prices. Always ask contractors for references and call past clients. Write down driver’s license and vehicle information (make, model, and license plate number).

· Pay with a credit card or check and be wary of contractors who ask for cash payment or cash down payment. Negotiate a reasonable down payment with full payment to be made only upon satisfactory completion of work. Make sure that any necessary permits or government approval is obtained before making final payment.

· USE YOUR COMMON SENSE! If you have any doubts about hiring someone or entering into a contract, trust your instincts. Use the Nassau County resources to ensure that your property will be safely and legally repaired.

· If someone shows up because your property is flooded, insist on seeing proof that the “agent” represents your insurance company. Contact your provider to verify.

· Real flood insurance requires a waiting period before it goes into effect. Beware of fake insurance offers offering retroactive insurance by paying an annual premium up front.

· If you believe that you may have been the victim of a scam, call the District Attorney’s Office immediately at (516) 571-3505 to file a complaint. The DA’s Office conducts regular stings to catch unlicensed contractors, and will be dedicating additional special resources to monitor clean-up contractors this week.