Mayor Prepares City for Hurricane Sandy

Mayor Kevin Dumas released the following information Friday afternoon about the potential impact of Hurricane Sandy on Attleboro:

Although hurricanes are unpredictable, this storm has the potential to impact Attleboro and we need to be prepared.

According to the National Hurricane Center, there is at least moderate confidence to experience impacts from Hurricane Sandy in the Attleboro area. In the late Monday to Wednesday timeframe, impacts will likely include wind gusts potentially reaching hurricane force that will likely result in downed trees and power lines. Heavy rainfall is also likely which may result in urban small stream and river flooding.

The official forecast from the National Hurricane Center shows an increasingly large Sandy paralleling the East Coast of Florida through early Saturday morning, then paralleling the Southeastern U.S. Coast through early Monday before turning back to the northwest and eventually making landfall early Tuesday along the Mid-Atlantic or New England coast. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph, making Sandy a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional weakening is expected as Sandy continues to interact with increasing wind shear and dry air.

Sandy is forecast to remain a hurricane through Tuesday before becoming an extra-tropical or hybrid storm as it merges with a cold front, but this transition may occur sooner.

LAUNCHING OF ATTLEBORO'S EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

As with Tropical Storm Irene, the City of Attleboro will be launching its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Attleboro Police Department, if needed. The EOC is the focal point for coordination of the City’s emergency planning, training, response and recovery efforts. The EOC brings together Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Transportation, Utilities, Public Works, Damage Assessment, Emergency Management, and Communications.

• Storm-Related Calls to the Emergency Operations Center should be directed to 508-223-2275.
• Emergency Calls should be made to 911.

UPDATES REGARDING HURRICANE SANDY

 It is important to stay informed by listening to TV and radio and heed the warnings of public safety officials.

In the event that Hurricane Sandy is a direct hit, please tune in to WARL AM1320 for storm related information.

Storm updates will also be provided on:

• AACS Cable Channel 98
• City's Website: www.cityofattleboro.us

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS KITS

High winds may blow down trees and knock out power lines and disrupt the normal power supply to homes and businesses. Residents are reminded to have their Hurricane Preparedness Kits available in case of normal services are disrupted. Proper preparation will replace panic when services are disrupted.

Hurricane Preparedness Kits should include (but are not limited to) the following items:

• A three day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food that will not spoil (canned or packaged and a manual can opener)
• One change of clothing and footwear per person
• Toiletries
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person
• A first aid kit that includes the family prescription medications
• Emergency tools (battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries)
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled members of the household

In addition to the Hurricane Preparedness Kits, other suggestions include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Create/review Family Emergency Plan including a meeting location in case family members are separated and update important telephone number
• Tie down loose outside furniture and equipment, secure items that could be easily blown
• Refill fuel reserves (vehicles and generators)
• Start generators to ensure they are in working order. Do not operate emergency generators indoors or close to open windows!
• Use battery operated lights instead of candles
• If you see downed wires, call 911. DO NOT attempt to move the wire. KEEP AWAY!
• Make sure carbon monoxide alarms have good batteries.

EMERGENCY SHELTERS

If necessary, the City will have a designated Emergency Shelter established. If you must evacuate, the best choice is to seek shelter with friends or family. Public shelters should be a shelter of last resort.

If you need emergency shelter, please contact the Emergency Operations Center at 508-223-2275.

Checklist for Emergency Shelters

• Pack your essentials, but pack light as space is limited.
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Nonperishable food
• Special dietary food that is nonperishable
• Several gallons of drinking water to keep in your vehicle. A minimum of one gallon per person.
• Bedding for a small space
• Infant or child necessities (wipes, diapers, bottles)
• Personal hygiene items
• Change of clothes
• Eyeglasses
• Quiet games, toys or reading materials
• Important papers and valid ID
• Cash and a phone list