Good morning Fire Island Pines! We woke up this morning to some good news from the National Weather Service. The track of the storm shifted further east overnight, and the eye is now expected to make a direct hit on Block Island and Southeast New England. Peak winds are expected to impact Suffolk County today around noon. Fire Island can expect 20-40 MPH sustained winds, with up to 50 MPH gusts. The winds are forecasted to decrease later in the day. High tides on the ocean side this morning was 7:45AM, and this evening will be 8:00PM. High tide on the bay side will be approximately 11:00AM. Surge levels are still projected to be the same, at approximately 2-4 feet. With the storm track pushing further east, rain totals are projected to be 2-4 inches for Fire Island.

For those of us in the Pines I want to encourage you to still treat this as a serious storm and expect conditions to change at any time during the day.

Our amazing and dedicated Fire Department has responded already to four calls reporting irregularities with electric wires in the community. The Department responds to these calls by assessing the situation, notifying PSEG, and securing the area if necessary. In one instance, they relocated gas cylinders away from the wires, yet reconnected them so that the affected house would still have service. It is amazing what goes on behind the scenes to keep our community safe and operating.

With appreciation and emerging relief,

Henry