Hurricane Sandy prep: Key Long Island information

Key information, phone numbers and web sites to help you prepare for Hurricane Sandy.

The Long Island Rail Road and New York City subways and buses will begin an orderly suspension of service at 7 p.m. Some lines may be curtailed over a period of several hours before all service is shut down, but no one will be able to rely on any MTA service after 7 p.m.

Service would be suspended earlier on some outlying parts of the LIRR because crews would need to secure or remove 690 gates at 295 railroad crossings to protect them from wind damage.

The MTA says all customers leaving Sunday's Jets game in New Jersey would be accommodated before service is suspended.

Check sct-bus.org or call 631-852-5200 for the latest information.

Before going to the airport, travelers should contact their airlines to learn about any potential delays and cancellations.

If winds reach 50 mph, certain vehicles will be barred, including motorcycles, tractor trailers, step vans, mini buses, trucks with open backs, cars pulling trailers, motor homes and vehicles carrying plate glass.

If there are sustained winds of 60 mph or above, the MTA may close one or more bridges to all traffic.

Outages should be reported by calling 800-490-0075, online at liaccount.com/outage/Report or by texting OUT to 695472.

Gas leaks on Long Island should be reported to 800-490-0045

Opening 8 a.m. Sunday:

* Sachem High School East, 177 Granny Rd., Farmingville

* Hampton Bays High School, 86 East Argonne Rd., Hampton Bays

* Brentwood High School, Sonderling Building, 52 Third Ave., Brentwood

No decision has been made yet on evacuations.

* Sponsored by Suffolk County and the SPCA

* Brentwood Recreation Center, 99 Third Ave., Brentwood

* Woodland Building at the Eastern Campus of Suffolk County Community College, 121 Speonk-Riverhead Rd., Riverhead.

Calls should be made to town or city officials, county spokeswoman Vanessa Baird-Streeter said.

The nonemergency hotline, 1-888-684-4274, will be activated today at 7 a.m.for non-life-threatening events, including downed trees and roadside issues. For more on storm preparation, visit nassaucountyny.gov/hurricane.

County parks, marinas and senior centers will close at 5 p.m. Sunday.

* Know the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone.

* Learn evacuation routes.

* Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.

* Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

* Cover your home's windows, either with permanent storm shutters or marine plywood at least five-eighths of an inch thick.

* Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.

FEMA recommends preparing a disaster kit that includes:

* Three-day supply of nonperishable food

* Three-day supply of water -- 1 gallon of water per person per day

* Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries

* Flashlight and extra batteries

* Sanitation and hygiene items, such as moist towelettes and toilet paper

* Matches and waterproof container

* Whistle

* Extra clothing

* Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a hand-operated can opener

* Photocopies of credit and identification cards

* Cash and coins

* Special-needs items, such as prescription medications, eyeglasses, contact lens solutions and hearing aid batteries

* Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles and pacifiers

* Other items to meet your family's needs

ALSO

* Fill up vehicles with fuel

* Listen to local officials

* Pick people to call who are on and off the Island in case you become separated from family members.

* Never use portable generators indoors, in garages or near open windows.