New York State Senator Michael Balboni recently announced a partnership with community supermarkets encouraging residents to prepare their families and homes as the peak of hurricane season approaches Long Island. Balboni has teamed with Waldbaum's, Stop & Shop, King Kullen, C-Town and Pathmark to distribute free information to help Long Island consumers create their own disaster preparedness kits.

"With tropical storm Ernesto threatening Florida and the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina being observed this week, we are reminded that we must be prepared for when disaster strikes. For many families, the first response to a hurricane or other disaster warning is to head to the supermarket and stock up on necessities to carry them through a few days without power," said Balboni, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. "This effort is designed to encourage families to be prepared throughout the year with supplies such as drinking water, nonperishable foods, flashlights, extra batteries, first aid kits, medications and other personal family needs."

Balboni expressed his gratitude to supermarket owners who are helping to distribute "Get Ready!" brochures containing important preparedness information to residents in his district. Many of the items in the brochure may be found around the home already or can be purchased at the supermarket and local hardware store.

Weather experts say Long Island is overdue for a major category hurricane. When Hurricane Gloria hit Long Island shores in 1985 it was a relatively weak category 2 storm, but still packed 85 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 111 mph. More than 200,000 Long Island residents had to evacuate low lying areas, and over 683,000 lost electrical power.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month.

Balboni's "Get Ready!" hurricane preparedness brochures are also available by calling his office at 873-0736. Additional preparedness information, including a detailed list of items that should be included in a disaster preparedness kit, is available on Balboni's website, www.senatorbalboni.com.