Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter has declared a townwide state of emergency, effective 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The order will remain in effect until further notice.
Mandatory evacuations are expected to be in place for those living in flood prone, low lying areas.
For residents seeking shelter that are unable to relocate to a family or friend’s home, Riverhead High School will open as a shelter on at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Those planning to utilize the shelter should bring supplies including medication, blankets, flashlights, a meal for Sunday evening, water and snacks.
Pets are not allowed at the town shelter; a pet-friendly shelter has been set up at Suffolk Community College's eastern campus, located at 121 Speonk-Riverhead Road in Riverside.
Walter advised residents that, in most cases, the safest place to be during a storm is in their own home. In addition, residents are urged to stay off the road during the storm due to the possibility of high winds and flooding.
Residents with special needs with questions or concerns should call the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500.
Riverhead High School is the only town shelter; fire departments are not shelters, and neither are senior centers.
Residents are asked to remember that the police department and fire departments will be extremely busy and all resources will be focused on the weather event; police and fire personnel will not be available to evacuate anyone during the storm.
Anyone planning to seek shelter Riverhead High School who does not have transportation can call 631-727-4500 ext. 0 prior to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday to make arrangements.
Check back to Riverhead Patch for information as it becomes available.
