Brookhaven ends evacuations for north, south shores

Brookhaven Town residents in communities on the north and south shores ordered to evacuate as a result of superstorm Sandy may return to their homes, the town announced Friday.

In a release, the town said the evacuation order that went into effect on Sunday expired at noon.

Also, Brookhaven acting supervisor Kathleen Walsh signed a new order extending the mandatory evacuation for the town’s portion of Fire Island, and extended the state of emergency declared on Oct. 27.

On the expired evacuation order for the north and south shores, Walsh urged residents who live in communities that experience major flooding and storm damage to “use every precaution when returning to your homes and businesses. There are still many down power lines, trees and other extremely hazardous debris, and some homes that have sustained significant damage may be dangerous to enter,” Walsh said. “We want everyone to stay safe, remain off the roads and allow emergency workers to get the clean up and power restoration job done as soon as possible.”