Frequently Asked Questions

In case of a hurricane or other natural disaster, residents are encouraged to seek out emergency shelters in the area. A list of emergency shelters is posted on the Suffolk County website. Follow the links to the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services and Office of Emergency Management. Suffolk County Emergency Preparedness can be reached directly by calling (631) 852-4900.

Residents are encouraged to listen to WALK 97.5 FM for instructions in the event of an emergency or listen to your local television and radio broadcasts. If needed, contact local authorities such as the police, emergency management office, or health department. Please do not call 911 or other emergency telephone line unless you need assistance with an immediate physical or medical emergency. According to Suffolk County Emergency Management: IF YOU ARE TOLD TO "SHELTER IN PLACE":

• Go inside
• Close all windows and doors
• Turn off all ventilation systems
• Turn on radio or television
• Stay calm

IF YOU ARE TOLD TO RELOCATE/EVACUATE:

• Follow instructions
• Take your disaster supplies kit with you
• Secure your home
• Plan ahead - you may not be able to bring your pets with you.
• Stay calm

Yes, there are emergency shelters throughout the Town but they are not always open during every storm. If there is a severe storm in the area, residents are urged to listen to the local radio stations for shelter location information. The Department of Emergency Preparedness has more information about what to do during natural disasters or storms, including where to locate designated emergency shelters

In the case of a natural or man-made disaster, planning ahead can make all the difference in how you and your family get through an emergency. Below are some tips that can be helpful in such an event.

• Develop a family plan for survival and property protection as well as any pets. Rehearse the plan so everyone knows what to do.
• In the case of a hurricane, learn the storm surge history and elevation of your area as well as the locations of official shelters.
• Inventory personal property; safely secure all records and valuable documents in a fireproof and watertight place.
• Arrange now for elderly and others with special needs such as those who depend on electric life-support devices. You can sign up for LIPA's Critical Care Program by calling (800) 490-0025.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), a disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster. Disaster Supply Kits should include:

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Three-day supply of water - one gallon of water per person, per day
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper)
• Matches and waterproof container
• Whistle
• Extra clothing
• Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards
• Cash and coins
• Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries
• Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers

You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. Or, you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies you need.

To prepare for winter weather, Disaster Supply Kits should contain the following additional items:

• Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
• Sand to improve traction on walkways and streets
• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment

Individuals should also place winter emergency kits in their vehicles that contain:

• A shovel
• Windshield scraper and small broom
• Flashlight
• Battery powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Water
• Snack food
• Matches
• Extra hats, socks and mittens
• First aid kit with pocket knife
• Necessary medications
• Blanket(s)
• Tow chain or rope
• Road salt and sand
• Booster cables
• Emergency flares
• Fluorescent distress flag

Winterizing your home can help extend the life of your home's fuel supply in both extreme hot and cold weather. During the winter months, homeowners can help preserve the heat within their homes by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic. Insulating pipes with added insulation or newspapers and plastic will help prevent pipes from freezing. In extremely cold temperatures, allow faucets to drip a little to avoid pipes from freezing and bursting. To prepare for winter storms, homeowners should clear out the rain gutters and clear away any low hanging branches that could fall on a house during a storm.

All Evacuation Centers in Suffolk County are posted on the Suffolk County website. Follow the links to the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services and Office of Emergency Management for specific emergency shelter location information. Suffolk County Emergency Preparedness can be reached directly by calling (631) 852-4900. Suffolk County's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the county’s response to natural or man made disasters. OEM personnel are responsible for the operations of the county’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and work with local, state, and federal officials in shelter management, planning, resource management, and radiological response coordination.

Suffolk County's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the county’s response to natural or man made disasters. OEM personnel are responsible for the operations of the county’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and work with local, state, and federal officials in shelter management, planning, resource management, and radiological response coordination. They can be reached directly at (631) 852-4900 or online.

According to the Suffolk County Emergency Management website, you can get more information during and after an emergency by listening to your local television and radio broadcasts. If needed, contact local authorities such as the police, emergency management office, or health department. Please do not call a 911 or other emergency telephone line unless you need assistance with an immediate physical or medical emergency. Dial "852-COPS" for non-emergency police calls in Suffolk County. The 24-hour emergency contact telephone numbers for Babylon is: (631) 422-7600. Non-Emergency Contact Information: You may want to report the situation to our county or state offices of emergency management or health departments. Their phone numbers are:

• Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management: (631) 852-4900; 24 hours
• NYS. Office of Emergency Management , State Emergency Coordination Center - 24 hours: (518) 457-2200
• Suffolk County Department of Health Services: (631) 853-3000 Fax (631) 853-2927
• Emergencies after 5:00 pm and weekends (631) 852-4820
• NYS Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health: (800) 458-1158 or visit their website

All questions regarding flood insurance should be directed to the caller's local insurance broker. For all questions regarding flood zones, please call Environmental Control at (631) 422-7645.

FEMA can be contacted toll free at (800) 621-3362, or by visiting their website.

• FEMA: (800) 631-3362 or Disaster Assistance
• American Red Cross Suffolk County: (631) 423-0307
• Suffolk County Health Department: (631) 853-6974
• 311 for New York City: (212) NEW-YORK
• Suffolk Police 1st Precinct: (631) 852-2677

Shelter in Suffolk County as of 11/12/2012: Electrical Inspectors approved by the Town of Babylon:

• Alliance Electrical Inspections Limited 707 Hyman Avenue West Islip, NY 11795 (631) 539-6055
• Certified Electrical Inspections, Inc. 188 A Park Avenue Amityville, NY 11701 (631) 598-5610 / (888) 238-1338
• Electrical Inspection Service, Inc. 375 Dunton Avenue E. Patchogue, NY 11772 (631) 286-6642 / (888) 869-3742
• Electrical Inspectors, Inc. 600 Johnson Avenue, Suite D2 Bohemia, NY 11716 (631) 650-0200 / (800) 794-1468
• Long Island Electrical Inspection Service Inc. 670 Middle Country Road St. James, NY 11780 (631) 265-3075
• Long Island Electrical Inspections Limited 25 October Walk Long Beach, NY 11561 (888) 571-7980
• Long Island Electrical Inspectors, Inc. 21 Third Avenue, Suite 3 Bay Shore, NY 11706 (631) 665-3100
• NYS Electrical Inspections, Inc. 278 Indian Head Road Kings Park, NY 11754 (631) 466-4235
• Suffolk Bureau of Electrical Inspections 40 Nottingham Dr. Middle Island, NY 11953 (631) 495-8136