Following last week's announcement that this year's hurricane season will be extremely active, particularly along the east coast, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), along with the New York State Office of Emergency Management, KeySpan, various local, county, state and federal emergency response entities, and others are gearing up for their participation in the third annual Islandwide "I'm Ready" emergency preparedness drill, focusing on hurricane preparedness.

On Friday, June 2, LIPA will call upon government, businesses, and residential customers within LIPA's service territory to voluntarily curtail non-essential electric use from noon to 3 p.m. and practice emergency response procedures should a major hurricane or other emergency strike the region. The "I'm Ready" drill encourages LIPA customers to participate as a way to plan and prepare for a major emergency such as a hurricane. Hurricane Gloria occurred 21 years ago and was the last full-strike hurricane to hit Long Island.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) this week announced to America and its neighbors throughout the north Atlantic region that a very active hurricane season is looming, and encouraged individuals to make preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods.

"For the 2006 North Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

On average, the North Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. In 2005, the Atlantic hurricane season contained a record 28 storms, including 15 hurricanes. Seven of these hurricanes were considered "major," of which a record four hit the United States. "Although NOAA is not

forecasting a repeat of last year's season, the potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. is high," added Lautenbacher.

"Last year's Islandwide drill resonated through all areas of Long Island life," said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. "We're asking LIPA customers to do two things on June 2, reduce non-essential electric consumption between the hours of noon and 3 p.m., and to review their own emergency preparedness plans. Our goal is to create awareness that if an emergency occurs, whether it's caused by a major storm or a terrorist attack, Long Islanders will be ready to respond and cope."

"While we have a first-rate set of emergency preparedness plans, one of the lessons from Hurricane Katrina last fall was that you have to prepare for a wide range of contingencies," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. "In Suffolk, we developed an action plan to take away any doubt or confusion about our responsibilities and our readiness in the event of a storm. As always, one of the keys will be the ability of all levels of government, public utilities and the private sector to work cooperatively in response to a natural or man-made catastrophe, and we look forward to participating in this readiness drill to put

our plans to the test."

"In light of the recent studies that have been conducted on Long Island preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season it is ever so important for Long Island to be ready to deal with the possibility of hurricanes and tropical storms. I believe that it is prudent for us to enter into this Island Wide Drill and I am extremely pleased that we have the cooperation of both counties and LIPA," said Babylon Town Supervisor, Steven Bellone.

LIPA has been working with the New York State Office of Emergency Management (SEMO) to coordinate the "I'm Ready" drill with emergency responders islandwide. The Nassau, Suffolk and New York City Offices of Emergency Management will participate in the drill. The Long Island Rail Road, Long Island towns and major villages are also encouraged to participate.

They will be doing everything from cutting back on electric consumption to taking the opportunity to test emergency back-up generation, communications equipment and emergency response plans.