Kaiman Riding Storm Out at Command Center

From the Town of North Hempstead command center inside the "yes We Can" Community Center in Westbury, Town officials are hunkered down and monitoring the situation as Hurricane Sandy passes over Long Island.

Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin and other Town staff have been at the center, located at 141 Garden Street in Westbury, throughout the day.

The command center, which opened in Sept. 8, is equipped with a 311 call center. 

"From our standpoint our job is to take every call that comes in, hear what people have to say and make sure the information goes to the right party," said Kaiman to Patch.

The main power to the building went out at about 5 p.m.Since that time, the cener has been running on generator power.

The building has been without Internet service since just after 5 p.m.

A video feed from monitors at several locations in North Hempstead was cut to the command center in Westbury just after 5 p.m. as winds began to pick up.

A small crew was sent to the Town of North Hemstead Town Hall to field calls and follow the situation. Town Hall contuned to have power long after the Westbury center.

"We're just riding this storm through, it's going to be pretty intense," said Kaiman. "We are asking people to stay in their homes and do what they should be doing, which is stay inside." 

Kaiman said crews have been out all day an the the big issue is downed trees and wires. If trees are on wires, the Town is not able to take them down without Long Island Power Authority personnel engaged, according to Kaiman.

Those in need of assistance may call 311 system or you can call 911 in case of an emergency.