Super Says Voluntary Evacuation Decision To Be Made Friday Afternoon

Supervisor Bill Wilkinson and town officials continue to watch Hurricane Irene closely and he expects a decision on whether to order a voluntary evacuation to be made on Friday around noon. 

"Because of the evacuation of Fire Island and western shore beaches, our residents are looking at a gridlock that may leave them on the road for quite some time, so we've got to make our residents aware of that," Wilkinson said on Thursday evening. 

He said the concerns are for those in low-lying areas, like Lazy Point in Amagansett, Ditch Plains in Montauk and areas of Napeague. 

If Hurricane Irene remains a Category 3 storm, "I have to be concerned for everyone," Wilkinson said.

"Then it's not just a concern about the surf conditions and erosion, but trees toppling down, wires that can cause unsafe traffic conditions, flooding," he said. 

Wilkinson said to also expect that starting Friday evening, beaches being closed. "I'm more concerned about visitors going down to view Mother Nature at her finest," he said.

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