Shelter Island Weathers Hurricane Sandy Well

Despite losing ferry service during an overnight period while Hurricane Sandy passed over Shelter Island, Jim Read, police chief and the island’s emergency management coordinator, said that emergency crews and highway department workers “did a fabulous job” keeping everyone safe and that Shelter Island weathered the storm well.

“The worst thing was losing ferry service during the night,” Read said. “But we had a medical emergency, and the ferry was able to transport that person in extreme conditions so an ambulance could make the run to Southampton Hospital.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, most of the island is without power, but LIPA trucks are working their way across neighborhoods.

“We don’t have a lot of time to pat ourselves on the back — right now our focus is getting everyone powered back up,” Read said. “We hope to be in better shape by the end of the day.”

Read added that 20 people took advantage of a shelter set up at the Shelter Island Senior Center. Those who chose to stay behind on Ram Island, which became isolated due to flooding across the causeway for much of the hurricane, had a medical expert on hand in case of any emergency. Dr. Frank Adipeitro from Eastern Long Island Hospital, who also serves as head of the Shelter Island Emergency Medical Service, stayed behind to help.

“Dr. Frank payed a visit to an 88-year-old gentleman who had some concerns, being out there all by himself,” Read said. "Otherwise everything was OK."

Check for updates on the Town of Shelter Island website here.