New York gears up for Atlantic hurricane season

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday urged residents of the U.S. East Coast state to get fully prepared as the Atlantic hurricane season approaches. While designating this week as the Hurricane Preparedness Week in New York State, Cuomo reminded New Yorkers of damage done by previous devastating hurricanes and urged them to review their family emergency plans and to checking on emergency supplies they have at home, in their cars and at work in case new powerful hurricanes strike. "From Hurricanes Sandy and Irene to Tropical Storm Lee, we have seen firsthand how Mother Nature can quickly disrupt lives and damage communities," Cuomo said. "Those storms taught us valuable lessons about the importance of planning ahead when a disaster strikes." According to New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jerome Hauer, the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. Hazards from hurricanes come in many forms including storm surge, heavy winds and rain, inland flooding and even tornadoes, said Hauer. "With another hurricane season approaching, I am urging all New Yorkers to prepare themselves and their families for any possible emergency," said Cuomo. "Together we can be the first responders in our own homes and neighborhoods and ultimately build a stronger, more resilient New York." Hurricane Sandy, the most costly disaster to ever hit the shores of New York State that struck in 2012, claimed the lives of 61 residents, leaving more than two million people without power, along with damage to more than 300,000 housing units and displacement of more than 400,000 residents of New York City and Long Island from their homes.