'Microburst' Storm on June 23 in Westchester Calls for Well-Equipped Disaster Supply Kit: See FEMA Checklist
Editor's Note: Hillary Sheperd is vice president and co-owner of Servpro of Scarsdale and Mount Vernon, a fire, water, and mold remediation company. She writes a column from time to time on preparing for disasters.
July 13, 2011: After the microburst in southern Westchester on June 23, our whole finished basement flooded--and we're in the fire- and water-damage remediation business!
So, okay, our cleanup was fast and furious! Take it from us, the water will come in from every way possible, but you can help matters by keeping drains near your garage door clear and by making sure any drywells are not clogged outside your home.
If you do flood, you should immediately call companies like ours to prevent more damage. Then call your insurance company.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Home Safety Council recommend that you prepare for flooding, even up on a mountaintop where microbursts, like the one that hit Westchester County in late June, can flood the highest altitudes. According to FEMA, a well-equipped disaster supply kit should include:
•• Water: 1 gallon per person daily for 3 to 7 days.
•• Food: 3 to 7 days' worth of nonperishable or canned food, a manual can opener, and granola bars. Make sure you have protein, such as protein bars, among these items, especially for growing kids. A camping supply store will have a cook stove for coffee and tea and to heat soup and other canned foods that need cooking.
•• Bedding: You need blankets and pillows for each person, plus extras for any neighbors, if needed, and sleeping bags for padding, even on summer nights.
•• Clothing: Although the outside temperature may be warm, you may be working and cleaning. To help protect your skin, include pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially when cleaning a wet basement full of dirty water, perhaps. Keep some rain boots on hand even through the summer.
•• First-aid kit: At the very least, have hand sanitizers, antibiotic cream, and bandages on hand. Some gauze and scissors may be useful, too.
•• Cash: Keep some cash, including small bills, in your supply kit in case the banks are closed.
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400
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