Monday, August 29, 2011
More MTA News
Notification issued 8/29/11 at 5:40AM. MTA resuming limited service today with the exception of Metro North Railroad which remains suspended this morning. Visit http://www.mta.info/ for updates.
MTA News
Per the MTA,
Metro-North and LIRR: Additional details on Metro-North and LIRR service will be provided as soon as they become available
Service Plan for Monday Morning Subways: With limited exceptions, service will resume across the subway system at 6:00 a.m. Monday morning. Service will be less frequent than normal, and customers should expect longer waits and more crowded trains. Frequency of service will improve over the course of the day. The MTA’s regular fare policy will resume Monday morning at 5:00 a.m.
· Exceptions:
-3 trains will operate between 137th Street /City College and New Lots Avenue; Substitute bus service will be provided between Harlem 148th Street and 135th Street connecting with the 2 train.
-C trains suspended; A trains will make all local stops from 207th St. to Lefferts Blvd.
-No service in the Rockaways. (Rockaway Blvd. to Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park
-6 trains runs local in the Bronx
-7 trains run local
-S Franklin Avenue Shuttle (FAS) Suspended
-N trains terminate atKings Highway . Shuttle bus service between Kings Highway and Stillwell Terminal.
-7 trains run local
-
-N trains terminate at
· The Staten Island Railway will resume normal service at midnight tonight.
Buses: Limited bus service was restored in all five boroughs of New York City
Bridges and Tunnels: AllMTA Bridges
Access-a-Ride and Able Ride: Are expected to be operating normal service beginning at noon Monday. In the morning, these services will help return evacuees to their homes.Bridges and Tunnels: All
Metro-North and LIRR: Additional details on Metro-North and LIRR service will be provided as soon as they become available
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A Message From Mr. Scott About Monday August 29th
Good afternoon,
I am pleased to report that all TSA personnel who volunteered to maintain the high level of security at our Checkpoints throughout the Hurricane Irene period have done an excellent job!
I have met with most of you, our volunteers, and observed first hand that you are in great spirits, well motivated, and continuing to maintain the sterility of our Terminals. You have taken great care to protect all TSA equipment and although we had some minor roof leaks, your special efforts paid off and all equipment is ready to calibrate and testing is well underway.
The airport roadways are clear, minor tree branches and leaves are being cleaned up and we should see the resumption of air operations Monday morning.
All TSA Screening Personnel should report to duty starting Monday at 0700 for the am tour unless directed otherwise by your Terminal Manager. It is the responsibility of each TSA Officer to make any alternate transportation arrangements to get to work, if their normal mode of commuting is expected to be cancelled or delayed. Any Officers who are RDO on Monday and would like to work are encouraged to contact their Manager as soon as possible.
I am very proud and sincerely appreciative of the dedication and professionalism of each of you who volunteered to assist us during the past days during this very difficult weather emergency
Michael A. Scott
Federal Security Director
JFK International Airport
U. S. Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hurricane Irene Update 8.27.2011 0800
Please note JFK will close today August 27th at noon. It will remain closed until Monday August 29th. Please see our posting from FSD Michael Scott about this here http://tsajfkemergencystatus.blogspot.com/2011/08/jfk-to-be-closed.html
![[Image of 3-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0911W_NL_sm2+gif/091823W_NL_sm.gif)
BULLETIN HURRICANE IRENE INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 28A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011 800 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011 ...CENTER OF IRENE MAKES LANDFALL NEAR CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA... SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...34.7N 76.5W ABOUT 5 MI...10 KM NNE OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT 60 MI...100 KM SW OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 15 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...952 MB...28.11 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY... NONE SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT... A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * LITTLE RIVER INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SAGAMORE BEACH MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF DRUM POINT...NEW YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND SOUND...COASTAL CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND...BLOCK ISLAND...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTH CAROLINA TO LITTLE RIVER INLET * CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC * NORTH OF SAGAMORE BEACH TO MERRIMACK RIVER A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR... * MERRIMACK RIVER TO EASTPORT MAINE INTERESTS IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF IRENE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER INDICATES THAT THE EYE OF IRENE MADE LANDFALL NEAR CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA AROUND 730 AM EDT...1130 UTC. THE ESTIMATED INTENSITY OF IRENE AT LANDFALL WAS 85 MPH...140 KM/H...CATEGORY ONE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. AT 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 34.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.5 WEST. IRENE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL MOVE ACROSS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA TODAY. THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT AND MOVE OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON SUNDAY. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 85 MPH...140 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. SLIGHT WEAKENING IS FORECAST AS IRENE CROSSES EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...BUT IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN A HURRICANE AS IT MOVES NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND NEW ENGLAND. HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 260 MILES...415 KM. A SUSTAINED WIND OF 59 MPH WITH A GUST TO 84 MPH WAS RECENTLY MEASURED AT CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED FROM DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS 952 MB...28.11 INCHES. A COASTAL MARINE OBSERVING SITE AT CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA RECENTLY REPORTED A PRESSURE OF 954.0 MB...28.17 INCHES. HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND...TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS SHOULD SPREAD NORTHWARD ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST LATER THIS MORNING WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED BY THIS AFTERNOON. HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS SHOULD SPREAD NORTHWARD THROUGH THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA DURING THE DAY. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY. STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM TIDE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 5 TO 9 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE AND PAMLICO SOUNDS. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITHIN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER NORTHWARD TO CAPE COD INCLUDING SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE...DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES. STORM SURGE VALUES ARE VERY LOCATION-SPECIFIC...AND USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES. RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...FROM EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES INTO EASTERN NEW YORK AND WESTERN NEW ENGLAND. THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS. SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS WILL CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS. TORNADOES...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER EXTREME EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA TODAY. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...1100 AM EDT.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene Update 8.26.2011 2300
Please note that JFK will CLOSE tomorrow Saturday August 27th at noon. Please see blog post about JFK closure below.
BULLETIN HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 27 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011 1100 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011 ...IRENE MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD TOWARD SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS LASHING THE CAROLINA COAST... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...32.6N 76.9W ABOUT 140 MI...225 KM S OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT 195 MI...315 KM SSW OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH...160 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...951 MB...28.08 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY... NONE. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT... A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * LITTLE RIVER INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SAGAMORE BEACH MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF DRUM POINT...NEW YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND SOUND...COASTAL CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND...BLOCK ISLAND...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * NORTH OF EDISTO BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA TO LITTLE RIVER INLET * CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC * NORTH OF SAGAMORE BEACH TO MERRIMACK RIVER A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR... * MERRIMACK RIVER TO EASTPORT MAINE INTERESTS IN SOUTHEASTERN CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF IRENE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ AT 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 32.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.9 WEST. IRENE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 13 MPH...20 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND SATURDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE WILL APPROACH THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT AND PASS NEAR OR OVER THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST SATURDAY MORNING. THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY NIGHT AND MOVE OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON SUNDAY. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 100 MPH...160 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST BEFORE IRENE REACHES THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA. SOME WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AFTER THAT...BUT IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN A HURRICANE AS IT MOVES ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST ON SUNDAY. HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290 MILES...465 KM. DURING THE PAST HOUR...A WEATHERFLOW AUTOMATED STATION REPORTED A SUSTAINED WIND OF 48 MPH...78 KM/H...AND A GUST TO 64 MPH...104 KM/H AT THE FORT MACON STATE PARK NEAR ATLANTIC BEACH NORTH CAROLINA. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY AIR FORCE RESERVE AND NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 951 MB...28.08 INCHES. HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND...TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD INLAND OVER THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE WARNING AREA TONIGHT. HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO FIRST REACH THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA BY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY MORNING WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SATURDAY NIGHT WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY. STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM TIDE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE AND PAMLICO SOUNDS. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITHIN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER NORTHWARD TO CAPE COD INCLUDING SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE...DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES. STORM SURGE VALUES ARE VERY LOCATION-SPECIFIC...AND USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES. RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...FROM EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES... NEW YORK...AND NEW ENGLAND THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS. SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS WILL CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS. TORNADOES...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER EXTREME EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORIES...100 AM EDT AND 300 AM EDT. NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...500 AM EDT.
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0911W5_NL_sm2+gif/031914W5_NL_sm.gif)
**JFK To Be Closed**
All,
The Port Authority has announced that John F. Kennedy International Airport will CLOSE at 1200 tomorrow Saturday August 27th and remain closed until Monday August 29th.
FSD Scott will grant Administrative Leave to all that are scheduled to work on Saturday after 1200.
Everyone will be expected to be at work on Monday if you are so scheduled.
Please keep checking this blog for the latest updates on the storm and for additional information
1844 Aug 26, 2011
The Port Authority has announced that John F. Kennedy International Airport will CLOSE at 1200 tomorrow Saturday August 27th and remain closed until Monday August 29th.
FSD Scott will grant Administrative Leave to all that are scheduled to work on Saturday after 1200.
Everyone will be expected to be at work on Monday if you are so scheduled.
Please keep checking this blog for the latest updates on the storm and for additional information
1844 Aug 26, 2011
MTA to Suspend Service at Noon on Saturday
***UPDATE**
JFK FSD Michael Scott advises all JFK Personnel to Car Pool both into work and home for your Saturday Tour due to the MTA shutting down Mass Transit for Hurricane Irene.
Here is the story as published from http://www.newsday.com/
"I can assure you that if there are 115-mph winds, those bridges are not going to be open to anybody except emergency vehicles," Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico said.
Tunnels could be similarly shut down because of flooding, Marsico said.
Bloomberg said at some point, taxis may also come off the road because of dangerous conditions.
Ferries serving New York City, including the Staten Island Ferry, may also suspend service during high winds, Bloomberg said.
The moment winds in the metro area hit 60 mph, all major bridges will be closed, the governor said. That's part of why he repeatedly urged residents to strongly consider leaving potential flood areas now.
"The key is early movement," Cuomo said. "People should not be deceived by the nice weather [Friday]. They should take the voluntary evacuation seriously."
MTA chairman Jay Walder said the agency cannot ensure the safety of its system during sustained winds of 39 mph or more and would have to shut down eight hours before such winds.
Customers can go to mta.info for the latest status on MTA services.
JFK FSD Michael Scott advises all JFK Personnel to Car Pool both into work and home for your Saturday Tour due to the MTA shutting down Mass Transit for Hurricane Irene.
Here is the story as published from http://www.newsday.com/
The Long Island Rail is expected to release details Friday afternoon of a systemwide shutdown that would likely begin on Saturday afternoon, officials said Friday. Road
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that all MTA services, including subways, buses and the Long Island Rail Road, would be suspended at noon Saturday. LIRR spokesman Salvatore Arena said the agency will release details of its suspension plan, and that it would likely take three hours or more to completely shut down the system from when the plan is initiated.
After the trains have stopped running, the LIRR will have to secure crossing gates at all of its nearly 300 crossings. Once secured in the "up" position, trains cannot travel through the crossings.MULTIMEDIA: Latest Hurricane Irene photos | Latest videos | LI hurricanes, 1938-now | Send your Irene prep photos
MORE: Map tracking Irene | Nassau evacuation routes | NYC evacuation map | Hurricane prep tips | More coverage
Driving across bridges and tunnels may also not be an option for travelers during the hurricane. The Port Authority and the MTA both have speed restrictions for certain vehicles during sustained winds of around 45 mph. "I can assure you that if there are 115-mph winds, those bridges are not going to be open to anybody except emergency vehicles," Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico said.
Tunnels could be similarly shut down because of flooding, Marsico said.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg also ordered 300,000 residents in low-lying areas to evacuate Friday.
He said the city will "take a close look" at closing all city bridges once winds reach around 50 mph. The city is enacting a plan to reduce fares on taxis and allow livery cabs to make street pickups. Bloomberg said at some point, taxis may also come off the road because of dangerous conditions.
Ferries serving New York City, including the Staten Island Ferry, may also suspend service during high winds, Bloomberg said.
He said football fans planning to use a combined LIRR/New Jersey Transit ticket to get to the Saturday afternoon Jets game at the Meadowlands may not have MTA service to take them back home after the end of the game.
Port Authority airports, including Kennedy and LaGuardia, will likely remain open, although individual airlines will make the decision on whether to operate any flights into or out of them. The airports are stocked with "hundreds of cases of bottled water, diapers, cots, blankets and pillows," and at least one food vendor must remain open around the clock throughout the storm, Marsico said.The moment winds in the metro area hit 60 mph, all major bridges will be closed, the governor said. That's part of why he repeatedly urged residents to strongly consider leaving potential flood areas now.
"The key is early movement," Cuomo said. "People should not be deceived by the nice weather [Friday]. They should take the voluntary evacuation seriously."
The governor added that he's preparing to deploy 1,000 National Guard troops downstate to help not only with preparations, but also repairs if the storm washes over Long Island and New York City.
Subways, buses and commuter trains in New Jersey and Pennsylvania also will be halted because of Irene, The Associated Press reported.
Cuomo officials said a record number of power-repair crews are being assembled to head into Nassau and Suffolk counties as soon as the hurricane passes.
"Immediately after the storm, we expect to have 3,400 people on the ground on Long Island," said Pat Foye, a Cuomo deputy secretary who is coordinating planning with LIPA. MTA chairman Jay Walder said the agency cannot ensure the safety of its system during sustained winds of 39 mph or more and would have to shut down eight hours before such winds.
In addition, the LIRR is also canceling track work that was scheduled this weekend on the Far Rockaway branch. The LIRR will not substitute buses, as previously planned, for some Sunday morning trains on the Oyster Bay branch for the running of the Oyster Bay Triathlon. As of almost 2 p.m. Friday, the triathlon had not been canceled, but its website advised those interested to watch the site for any updates on Saturday afternoon.
Weekend work on the MTA Bridges and Tunnels is also suspended for the weekend.Customers can go to mta.info for the latest status on MTA services.
Amtrak has canceled most service south of Washington for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including all service into and out of Penn Station.
Suffolk County Transit is still scheduled to operate normal service on Saturday, but a spokeswoman said that there is "a good chance" that the two lines usually in operation on Sunday -- the S92 and the 10C serving eastern Suffolk -- will be suspended. Service changes will be posted on www.sct-bus.org.The Hamptons Jitney bus service expects to operate "a normal and full schedule for Friday and Saturday," but anticipates "major service disruptions or cancellations on Sunday."
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry has suspended all Sunday service.
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