Officials: Danger Not Gone in TOBAY

Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Sandy toppled trees and literally knocked Long Island's lights out, Town of Oyster Bay officials are telling residents not to let their guards down just yet.

"We're still with power outages and we're still busy," said TOBAY Department of Public Works Commissioner Justin McCaffrey.

As cleanup efforts continue gathering debris from streets and homes, the Town's emergency center, whose phone banks continue to run out of the DPW, is fielding questions about much more than toppled trees.

Town residents have called the center asking for updates on LIPA and FEMA efforts when calling them directly has proven difficult.

"The biggest complaints we've gotten are about LIPA, FEMA… and that they wish they'd see more representation out there," said McCaffrey, adding that the gas crisis has also been a common concern.

"LIPA is reenergizing power lines so what was a dead line yesterday could be a live one today," said McCaffrey, urging residents to continue to use caution around any and all power lines.

Though electricity -- or lack thereof -- has been a major source of complaints and concern, other factors have come into play.

"We're worrying about carbon monoxide from the generators people have," said McCaffrey, adding, "And most roads are passable, but the danger is still there."

Town crews have created pathways on all roads and now efforts have turned to fully clearing them, he said.

Food, water, and clothing distribution have continued and some Town employees have taken to going door to door handing out essentials in the south shore's hardest hit areas, said McCaffrey.

Up next is getting representatives from FEMA to have a constant presence in Town facilities, McCaffrey said.

"We're still saying 'if you can get it to the curb, we'll take it away,'" said McCaffrey of sanitation and household cleanup efforts.

The Town's emergency center can still be reached at (516) 677-5757 where officials can personally help with concerns or attempt to dispatch crews that can.