Lackawanna County Commissioners Urge Residents To Prepare for Storm
By: Jayne Ann Bugda
Updated: October 28, 2012
The Lackawanna County Commissioners want you to be prepared for Hurricane Sandy. The National Weather Service is calling for sustained high winds and rain beginning on Monday afternoon and continuing through Tuesday afternoon.
It is vital for every citizen to be as prepared as possible for the storm. Emergency personnel suggest the following preparedness supplies:
1. Fuel up your vehicles.
2. If you have a generator-assure you have adequate fuel on hand.
3. To prepare for the possibility of prolonged power outages-make sure you have a supply of fresh batteries and a supply of candles or flashlights on hand.
4. Be sure to have several days of fresh water on hand for drinking and cooking.
5. If you still have lawn furniture outside...secure or store it indoors. Secure any outside items that could become airborne in strong winds.
6. Clean out any storm drains or gutters that may be clogged by leaves.
7. If you live in a flood prone area and if possible-consider moving items that may be damaged to higher ground.
8. If you have limited mobility or know of someone who may be disabled...consider arranging for temporary shelter if they live in an area that may flood or could lose power.
9. If you need to evacuate...be sure to care for your pets.
10. Secure alternate power for medical devices such as oxygen concentrators.
11. Make an individual or family emergency plan.
12. Assure adequate supplies of necessary medications are on hand. Up to a week's supply.
13. Gain access to a NOAA alert radio or other means of public information and have additional batteries available.
14. Fill your bathtubs with water for emergency use.
15. Park your car in a safe spot.
16. Secure your garbage cans and recycling bins and don't put out for collection on Monday Night.
If at all possible, stay off the streets during the height of the storm so that Emergency Responders and Utility Personnel can do their jobs and keep our County Safe.
For Road Conditions: You can check on nearly 3,000 miles of state roads by visiting http://www.511PA.com or by call 511. The call is FREE and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 500 traffic cameras. Regional TWITTER alerts are also available on the 511PA website. Please do not call 911 for road information.
Stay tuned to your local Television and Radio Stations for updates on the storm and shelter information, if necessary. You can also log on tohttp://www.lackawannacounty.org or www.readypa.org for information.
