Officials Push For New Hurricane Protection For Long Island's South Shore

FREEPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- State, county and local leaders gathered on Long Island on Monday to issue a call for new storm safety measures.

Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy said Nassau County's South Shore needs hurricane gates at its two main inlets at Jones Beach and East Rockaway.

The gates would protect the shoreline from the kind of devastation brought by Superstorm Sandy three years ago.

"We need to protect those two inlets, that's what we need to do," Kennedy said. "If we could protect those two inlets, close the door, put a gate up there, we could protect all of Nassau County."

The mayor is calling for a feasibility study on the inlet protection project and County Legislator Steven  Rhoads is among those emphasizing its need as learned from Sandy.

"This actually is a tragedy that is not over for so many families," Rhoads said.

"There will be other hurricanes, it's only a question of when," community activist Warren Tackenberg said.

Thursday will mark three years since Superstorm Sandy hit the area, causing nearly $10 million in municipal damages and flooding 3,500 homes in Freeport alone.