Hurricane Sandy is en route. I’ll remain optimistic that nothing horrible will happen in the Capital Region, but here are some tips and reminders on disaster preparedness, just in case.
The storm would likely hit NY state hardest on Monday and Tuesday, possibly bringing winds of 74 mph-plus and coastal flooding with waves of 20 to 25 feet, said National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Hofmann in Upton. He said that by the time the weather subsides Tuesday, rainfall amounts in New York could reach 6 inches.
How to prepare for a disaster:
- Be sure you have one gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days
- Have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Know where your first aid kit is located
- Be sure you have working flashlights, a battery operated radio and an extra set of batteries
- Charge your cell phones NOW, prior to losing power.
- If we do lose power, call National Grid to report an outage: 1-800-642-4272
A good resource for families is Sesame Street’s Let’s Get Ready. The site contains printable activity books, tip sheets, a family emergency planner, and more handy info.
