Suffolk County officials continue to work round the clock to reach out to residents in need after Super Storm Sandy.
In an update on Monday, Suffolk County Steve Bellone said in a release that in some flood zones, due to safety reasons, the Long Island Power Authority requires a homeowner to provide an "authorization to energize," by an approved electrical inspection agency, before they will proceed with re-energizing homes.
"Given the large number of homes impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the process which LIPA requires to ensure public safety could leave a significant number of homes without power for an extended period of time," the release stated.
To that end, Suffolk County is working with LIPA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, New York State and town officials to provide the inspection for free to homeowners in the flooded areas.
The county is working with towns to pair up electrical inspectors with code enforcement officers, building inspectors, fire marshals and state representatives to assess whether homes can safely have their power restored. The goal, Bellone said, is to speed up the power restoration process to residents.
In other news, the Red Cross will continue serving lunch on Monday from 11 a.m. on and dinner from 4 p.m. on at the Dennison building in Hauppauge at 100 Veterans Highway; the Riverhead County Center, located at 210 Center Drive in Riverside, and at the Mastic Firehouse, located at 1088 Mastic Road.
Red Cross shelters are still open at Sachem East High School, Walt Whitman High School, and Robert Frost Middle School.
And, as temperatures continue to drop, warming centers will be opened to give residents a chance to get out of the cold, charge their electronic devices, and receive food.
Here is a list of warming centers and their hours of operation:
William J. Brosnan School
Northport-East Northport School District, 158 Laurel Ave, Northport
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sunday and Monday
Charging Center
American Legion Hall
7 Woodside Ave Northport
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday
Central Presbyterian Church
240 Main Street, Huntington
Open: Monday to Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Providing: Sandwiches, charging stations and internet access
Temple Beth El
660 Park Avenue, Huntington
Open: Sundays – 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Providing: Warming area, water and charging stations
St. Hugh of Lincoln R. C. Church
New York Avenue at East 9th Street
Huntington Station
Open: Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Providing: Warming Center
Light of Salvation Church
1599 New York Avenue
Huntington Station
Open: Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Providing: Warming center and food.
Dix Hills Ice Rink
Dix Hills Park
575 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
Open: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Providing: Free ice skating, coffee and hot chocolate, showers, and charging stations. Snacks can be purchased at the concession stand
Huntington YMCA
60 Main Street
Open: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Providing: Showers and charging stations
Salvation Army
East Northport Service Center
319 Clay Pitts Road, East Northport
Seven days: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.