3 Cuomo panels to eye storm preparedness

ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thursday the formation of three commissions he said would make recommendations for improving New York's emergency preparedness, in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

But the panels have only a little time to come up with ideas -- they are slated to issue reports by Jan. 3.

Cuomo said Sandy, Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and other storms have "revealed major weaknesses in the state's transportation, energy, communications and health infrastructures."

One of the governor's commissions will focus on current systems for weather-related disasters, another on natural disasters and the final one on long-term strategies.

Among the long-term issues, Cuomo said the panel would consider is "the use physical storm barriers and natural protective systems" to reduce impacts.