Don't go to the beach to watch the storm roll in, folks. Or the park, for that matter.

Public officials are just about begging New Yorkers to stay at home for the next 24 hours, watch the storm develop, and ride it out -- inside. I took a walk in Prospect Park at 6 PM on Sunday night, before any wind or rain or sturm und drang had commenced, and a cruising cop car curtly warned me and a few hardy dog-walkers to leave the park, ASAP.


While maybe that's a bit of overkill, the authorities are also asking, begging, pleading and generally warning home-bound Brooklynites to stay the heck home until, literally, the coast is clear.

Here are 7 reasons to dissuade yourself from getting into the car, or on your bike for a cruise around:

1. When the wind picks up, falling tree limbs could conk you on the head. Or worse.
2. When you drive right before, during, or after a hurricane, it slows down emergency workers fixing roads.
3. You could come across a downed power line. (IF that happens, DO NOT TOUCH. The lines could be live; call ConEd)
4. You might not get to safety before 40,50, 60 mile per hour winds begin; this makes getting out of your car and walking dangerous.
5. Some roads may be closed or blocked by fallen limbs; others may be flooded.
6. Things are closed: The airports. Many businesses. Restaurants. Subways. Many gas stations won't be open.
7. If you get stuck, there is no mass transportation, and most cabbies won't be working during the storm, either.

If you are worried about family, friends, boyfriends, your auntie Lily, then call them, or call a neighbor to look in on them. But don't pick this day off to go visit your old boyfriend. Unless you have a real emergency -- like you're about to give birth -- then stay home~