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Red Cross Holds Hurricane Preparedness Session In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- As the Atlantic hurricane season nears, residents of superstorm Sandy-ravaged Long Beach are learning how to better prepare for any future storms.

The American Red Cross held a storm preparedness course called "Be Red Cross Ready" at the Magnolia Senior Community Center in Long Beach on Wednesday.

As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, the stress level in the beachfront town is rising as the hurricane season approaches.

Red Cross Holds Hurricane Preparedness Session In Long Beach

"I want an anti-depressant, anti-anxiety pill now because my doctor said 'you're not taking this stress very well,'" Hetta Pesin told Diamond.

The Red Cross said the course is meant to arm residents with information and tips to handle the next big storm.

"The best thing we can offer somebody is to have a little bit of peace of mind in a tense situation," Jeff O'Neil with the Red Cross said.

Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness Session
American Red Cross holds hurricane preparedness session in Long Beach, N.Y., August 14, 2013. (credit: Marla Diamond/WCBS 880)

"In addition, they have some counseling folks here who can provide counseling for those who are suffering from some post-traumatic stress," City Manager Jack Schnirman said. "There's still some additional lessons we can learn about how we could do even better."

O'Neil said even packing a go-kit with medication, water and food helps.

Having lived through Sandy, Rosemary D'Orio said she would add one more thing.

"Underwear, bring because when you don't have clean clothes you really don't feel right," she told Diamond.

D'Orio said she attended the information session just in case Mother Nature has some wicked weather planned again soon.

"I didn't listen. What I did was 'it's not going to happen.' And I'll never do that again, never," D'Orio told Diamond.

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