EMERGENCY ORDER # 5 OF 2021 - DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY
The undersigned, as Supervisor of the Town of Southampton, pursuant to the authority by Article 2-B, Section 24 of the Executive Law of the State of New York, has the authority to declare a state of emergency in the event of imminent danger to residents of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center have issued a Hurricane warning for Southampton Town, and much of the rest of Long Island, as Tropical Storm Henri approaches; and
WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Henri is currently moving north and is expected to increase in strength to a Category 1 Hurricane by this evening, that is, August 21, 2021, before reaching the south fork of the Town; and
WHEREAS, this storm is expected to bring severe and dangerous wind gusts, rain that could be heavy at times, 8 – 15 foot waves on the ocean beaches, and flood waters of 3 – 5 feet above ground level, with flooding likely having the greatest impacts on low lying areas of the Town, particularly those on the north side bay areas between the forks, as well as bays and inlets along the south shore of the Town; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to keep its residents, guests, and visitors safe, the Town of Southampton is taking appropriate actions to minimize the threat to the public’s health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Supervisor, in consultation with the Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator, the Southampton Town Police Chief, and the Highway Superintendent, hereby finds that public safety is imperiled and an imminent danger exits; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Executive Law of the State of New York, I hereby direct the following, effective through August 25, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.:
IT IS ORDERED that the following emergency order be hereby adopted and implemented:
- The Southampton Town Supervisor, in consultation with the Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator, the Southampton Town Police Chief, and the Highway Superintendent, is authorized to take whatever actions are necessary to protect life and property, and public infrastructure, and to perform other such emergency assistance as deemed necessary.
- Residents in low lying areas of the Town, particularly those on the north side bay areas between the forks, as well as bays and inlets along the south shore of the Town, are encouraged to voluntarily relocate to safer locations, in the event flood waters or storm debris render them unreachable by emergency responders.
- Because these conditions imperil the safety of the citizens of the Town of Southampton, it is imperative that the roads are cleared for emergency vehicles in all areas of the Town, with all vehicles moved off the road so that first responders and emergency vehicles may pass.
- Town personnel shall coordinate and utilize other municipal agencies and subdivisions as necessary, including volunteer fire departments and ambulance services, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
This Emergency Order shall continue in full force and effect through August 25, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., unless otherwise amended, modified, or rescinded, or upon the declaration of the Supervisor that the emergency no longer exists, whichever occurs sooner.
This Order shall be issued in quadruplicate and shall be filed within 72 hours, or as soon thereafter as practical, in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk, the Southampton Town Clerk, the Office of the Secretary of State, and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; in addition, a copy of this Order shall be published in the Southampton Press.