FAQs • Southold, NY • CivicEngage

What does shelter-in-place mean?: Sheltering in place means to take shelter where you are. Locations like your home, work, school or other safe places can be used to shelter in place. In many cases you are better off staying where you are rather than evacuating to another location. You should stay where you are if you are not in imminent danger from the event or its consequences.

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Emergency Preparedness

1. What is the Office Emergency Management (OEM) responsible for?: The Town of Southold’s Office of Emergency Management is responsible for preparing the town and the public to manage activities before, during, and after the impact of a natural or man-made disaster. Our goal is to minimize the impact of incidents or disasters which potentially threaten the safety and welfare of our citizens. This requires a partnership amongst all levels of government, the private sector, volunteer and religious organizations, and the general public.
When a disaster strikes, the overall authority for directing emergency operations in the Town of Southold resides with the Town Supervisor/Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and the Chief of Police/Deputy Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

2. How do I get information from the Town during a disaster?: Southold’s OEM uses the local media, local government channel 22 and the Town’s website to keep the public informed during an emergency. The public can also sign up to receive emergency notifications through the Town’s website Notify Me feature.

3. What type supplies should I keep on hand for emergency situations?: See link : Emergency Supplies KIt

4. What does shelter-in-place mean?: Sheltering in place means to take shelter where you are. Locations like your home, work, school or other safe places can be used to shelter in place. In many cases you are better off staying where you are rather than evacuating to another location. You should stay where you are if you are not in imminent danger from the event or its consequences.

6. What can you expect at a shelter?: Shelters provide a refuge of last resort. There will be very little privacy and conditions might be crowded. The Town of Southold does not provide food or water, so food will be very scarce. Depending on the shelter there may not be showers or bedding available. Based on this prepare accordingly by bringing your own supplies which includes your emergency supplies kit.

7. How do I help a family member, friend or neighbor who needs special assistance?: See link : Special needs assistance

8. What does evacuation mean?: During an emergency or disaster, individuals may be asked to leave their home or business during a natural or man-made disaster that possesses the potential to cause harm or even death to a given geographical population. Evacuations are usually temporarily but can depend on the severity of the disaster.

9. What if I'm told to evacuate?: The Town Supervisor may recommend or could even mandate that certain residents take steps to evacuate their homes to protect their health and welfare in the event of an approaching storm or other hazardous event. If an evacuation order were to be issued you should stay calm and do as directed. The Town will communicate evacuation orders and instructions through the local media, the Town’s website and by our Police and Fire Departments going door to door. Evacuees should plan their mode of transportation to the shelters.
If you must evacuate your home, because you live in an evacuation zone or you feel unsafe in your home, your first choice should be to stay with family or friends in a location outside the evacuation zone. This is where you will probably be most comfortable. Keep in mind that our shelters only provide emergency, short-term sheltering to the public. They do not provide adequate supplies of food, water and bedding, so individuals seeking shelter are encouraged to bring an Emergency Supplies Kit. An Emergency Supplies Kit could include items such as bottled water, snacks, prescription and emergency medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets and other comfort items, hygiene supplies, and cash. See the Emergency Preparedness section of the Town’s website for more information.

11. Where is Southold's Emergency Management Office located?: At Police Headquarters. 41405 RT 25 Peconic, NY

12. Is Emergency Management the same as 911?: No. Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating and managing the response to disasters and any other major emergencies. While 911 is the public's point of contact for public safety calls and emergency service requests.