Westhampton Beach plans hurricane shelter

While Tropical Storm Isaac moves toward Florida, the Village of Westhampton Beach is putting together a plan to use the local high school as a shelter if necessary during this hurricane season.

During major storms, the village often must evacuate its residents on or near Dune Road, a low-lying area prone to flooding. Last year, the village was given conflicting information by Southampton Town as to where shelters were located in Hampton Bays, according to Mayor Conrad Teller. Now the village will have its own evacuation shelter at Westhampton Beach High School, as long as it is approved by the American Red Cross.

Village Clerk Rebecca Molinaro told the village board at last week’s work session that she and three other town employees were to receive training the next day by the Red Cross in order to run the shelter.

Westhampton Beach school superintendent Michael Radday said the high school is a good option for an evacuation shelter because it has space and a generator.

The board plans to vote on the issue at its Sept. 6 meeting.