Tracking Hurricane Sandy – Governor Cuomo Declares State of Emergency

Hurricane Sandy is on course to hit the East Coast and New York State in the coming days. In preparation for the storm’s potential impact, Governor Cuomo today declared a state of emergency to help mobilize resources to local governments and rapid response efforts.

New Yorkers should make sure they have a storm emergency kit ready and include items such as non-perishable food, water, cash, filled prescriptions, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit, supplies for any pets, flashlights and extra batteries. The Governor also encourages New Yorkers to check in with neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled, who might need assistance to ensure that their needs are met if emergency instructions are issued. Additional tips for New Yorkers include:

• Know how to contact all family members at all times. Identify an out-of-town friend or family member to be the “emergency family contact.” Then make certain all family members have that number. Designate a family emergency meeting place where the family can meet in case you can’t go home.
• Pay particular attention to relatives with special needs, small children and pets. Know where to relocate pets during a storm because many shelters are not able to accept pets. Shelters often only accept “service animals” that assist people with disabilities.
• Prepare an emergency phone list of people and organizations that may need to be called. Include children’s schools, doctors, child/senior care providers, and insurance agents.
• Follow the news and emergency broadcasts of local radio and television stations that will provide up-to-date official information during a storm emergency, including recommendations to evacuate specific areas.
• Find out what emergency plans are in place in your community and how you will be notified in the event of an emergency.
• Know the hurricane risks in your area, and learn the storm surge history and elevation of your area.
• Store important documents such as insurance policies, medical records, bank account numbers, and social security cards in waterproof containers. Also have cash (in small bills), a checkbook, and credit/ATM cards readily available.

Click here for more tips on preparing for the storm.

With unpredictable weather conditions, the Governor is activating all levels of state government, working with federal and local partners to follow storm developments, and taking the greatest precautions – especially after our state’s experience from last year’s storms. Click here to read about the Governor’s preparations for state transportation, utilities, flood control, and health and safety.

Although the exact path of the storm is still unclear, the Governor encourages New Yorkers to closely monitor reports on TV, radio and online for the latest information on the storm. To get the latest updates, follow the Governor on Twitter and subscribe to our Storm Watch list. You can also visit www.governor.ny.gov or connect with the Governor on Facebook.

NOAA HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK;

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW YORK...CENTRAL
VERMONT...NORTHEAST VERMONT...NORTHWEST VERMONT AND SOUTHERN
VERMONT.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE A FEW DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL TODAY. ANY SHOWERS
THIS AFTERNOON WILL MAINLY BE CONFINED TO THE SAINT LAWRENCE
VALLEY OF NEW YORK WITH JUST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS FOR THE
NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS AND CHAMPLAIN VALLEY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

STRONG WINDS WILL BE THE MAIN IMPACT FROM SANDY. BASED ON ITS CURRENT
TRACK AND EVENTUAL LANDFALL NEAR SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...WINDY TO
VERY WINDY CONDITIONS WILL DEVELOP OVER THE NORTH COUNTRY
BEGINNING MONDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
THE STRONGEST WINDS...50 TO 70 MPH...WILL BE MOST CONCENTRATED
ALONG THE WEST SLOPES OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS AND PORTIONS OF THE
NORTHEAST KINGDOM. WINDS OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL DOWN TREES AND POWER
LINES...THUS POWER OUTAGES CAN BE EXPECTED. OVER THE REMAINDER OF
THE NORTH COUNTRY...EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH
GUSTS TO 50 MPH. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ANY NORTHWARD SHIFT
IN WHERE SANDY MAKES LANDFALL WOULD RESULT IN A GREATER THREAT OF
EVEN STRONGER WINDS...AND THOSE WINDS WOULD IMPACT A MUCH LARGER
AREA OF THE NORTH COUNTRY. THIS SITUATION WILL BE CLOSELY
MONITORED.

RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH SANDY WILL BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES MONDAY NIGHT
AND TUESDAY WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN. THIS
WOULD RESULT IN RISES ON AREA WATERWAYS AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL
FOR FLOODING...ESPECIALLY ON SMALLER RIVERS AND STREAMS.

TAKE THE TIME THIS WEEKEND TO EXAMINE YOUR PROPERTY AND DETERMINE
IF ANY ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PREPARE FOR STRONG WINDS AFFECTING
YOUR SPECIFIC LOCATION. FOLLOW THIS WEATHER SITUATION CLOSELY! VISIT
US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BURLINGTON OR LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
YOUR LOCAL MEDIA IS ALSO A GOOD SOURCE FOR WEATHER INFORMATION.

This entry was posted on October 27, 2012 at 8:30 am and is filed under ! Local News, - Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.