Hurricane Irene is jolting Long Island to prepare for the worst case scenario, urged the government of Nassau County, Long Island.

A page on evacuation routes is posted here and a page on hurricane preparedness is posted here.

Nassau County Office of Emergency Management's page for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane watches and warnings is here.

Currently, there is a hurricane watch issued, which indicate of the possibility of hurricane conditions. A Hurricane warning, which indicates the expectation of a hurricane, has not been issued.

Hurricane Irene is expected to impact the region Saturday night into Sunday night. The latest NOAA statement expects chances of hurricane level winds impacting the region to be 4 to 11 percent and chances of tropical storm conditions to be up to 72 percent.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano recommended that residents begin to make preparations.

Mangano suggested they make emergency go-kits, which are portable bags that they can grab in case of an evacuation. The bag should contain a first aid kit, medications, a flashlight, ID and other important documents, clothing, and personal items.

For those living south of Sunrise Highway, Mangano is pushing them to stay at higher sea levels with a friend or family located north of Sunrise Highway. Public shelter locations are also available, if needed, at Nassau Community College, SUNY Farmingdale, and Locust Valley High School.

The Suffolk County government website is down (as of 9:55 a.m. ET). AP reported that officials announced a voluntary evacuation of beach towns on western Fire Island on Thursday, which could become mandatory on Friday.

Officials are also requesting that ferry companies do not bring any anyone to the island who doesn't own a home there.

Suffolk County's alternative emergency Web site is here.

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