Storm Warnings Need Coordination

More than a week after the snow from the blizzard that pounded East Hampton and the rest of Long Island began to be hauled away, one aspect of the official preparations and response should be examined.

As the storm approached, local, county, and state offices issued separate warnings. At the same time, the various police departments were passing along information of their own. Ordinary citizens could have been forgiven for becoming confused. Was there a driving curfew at 7 p.m., or was it at 9? What exactly did the state of emergency mean we were supposed to do — or not do? When was it safe to venture out? It was nearly impossible to say. Then things got really confusing around dark when Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone’s voice was heard via an automated telephone call reminding residents about an order from the governor shutting all roads down at 11 p.m.

Conceding that there is little that can be done about what Riverhead and Albany may do when the next storm approaches, it appears that our local authorities could do a better job of coordinating their efforts and getting out consistent advice. It might make sense for East Hampton and Southampton officials, including those in the respective villages, to designate a single public information officer whose job it would be to remove ambiguity from important announcements about driving bans, power outages, and, in the case of hurricanes, community shelters or evacuations.

As things worked out, Southampton lifted its 7 p.m. road closing well before the other jurisdictions did, even though many people who work there may live in East Hampton, where driving was still prohibited. Local conditions may have justified this, but it left some residents wondering what to do, when it was reasonable to venture out to get a few important things done, resupply with food, or make essential appointments.

Then, as the snow began to finally stop, plow crews took to the roads in what was a exceptionally challenging job to restore some sense of normal. Their efforts are well appreciated, but even they could have benefited from better communication with the public — notably including during the aftermath, when some hamlet main streets were closed as the giant snowbanks were scooped up to be hauled away.

In an age when information, even faulty information, can be disseminated in an instant it is important that officials get it right from the start. Making clear who is supposed to issue what statements in the event of bad weather and other emergencies would go a long way to reassuring the public that all is well.