What Impact Will Hurricane Sandy Have on the Lehigh Valley?
As officials track next week's storm, residents can prepare by having supplies on hand.
Photos
8 a.m. Friday Update: The National Weather Service predicts tropical storm conditions for the Lehigh Valley on Monday night and Tuesday.
Sandy will bring showers starting Sunday to the Lehigh Valley followed by heavy rain and wind. The storm could last into Wednesday.
As of Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center expects Sandy to make landfall around 2 a.m. Tuesday just south of Cape May, N.J. Forecasters aren't yet certain of the time for landfall and the place could change as the storm shifts, according to a WFMZ report.
Sandy could cause record flooding in New Jersey, the Star-Ledger reports.
Sandy combining with a cold front continues to hold potential to become a "Frankenstorm" that could cause widespread problems from the Mid-Atlantic states into New England.
Original Report:
Emergency management officials are tracking the path of Hurricane Sandy to see what impact it could have on the Lehigh Valley.
So far it looks like we'll have rain and wind Monday and Tuesday, but forecasters will have a more detailed prediction in coming days as the storm's track becomes more apparent. The storm could make landfall in New Jersey.
For now, residents can make basic preparations.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency advises:
- Having three days of supplies at home
- Knowing how to reach family members in case of emergency
The weekend will offer time to work on making sure you have a storm kit similar to what everyone was encouraged to prepare when Hurricane Irene threatened the Valley last year.
According to the Red Cross, your kit should include:
- Bottled water (one gallon per person per day).
- Non-perishable food and can opener.
- Blankets, bedding and toiletries.
- Baby formula, diapers, bottles and wet wipes, if needed.
- First-aid kit and enough prescription medicines.
- Flashlight with fresh batteries.
- Battery-operated radio.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Paper plates and plastic utensils.
- Extra cash.
- Emergency contact information.
- Manufacturer’s instructions for power-operated garage doors.
Visit www.health.state.pa.us and get a copy of Pennsylvania’s Emergency Preparedness Guide.
In Pennsylvania, utility workers have been told to cancel vacations and hundreds of local contractors are on standby so they'll be available to repair downed lines, according to an Associated Press/WFMZ report.
Utility officials say they've upgraded their communication systems since Irene and a late October snowstorm caused problems last year.
Robert Sentner
8:04 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
And stay out of moving water !!!!!!!!!!!!! water only 6" deep can sweep you away.
Ron Beitler
8:16 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Assume all downed power lines are LIVE!
sin city sally
10:13 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
never ASSume, also assume that all up power lines are dead@@@
Frank
9:12 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Plan on getting all extra supplies today or tomorrow and don't wait for the last minute as stores sells out fast.
sin city sally
10:13 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
SKY IS FALLING SKY IS FALLING
Robert Sentner
9:15 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
was at dries this morning and there was a line before the doors opened, and from what I saw 2 generators and many more people than that looking for one. lamp oil, batteries, gas cans, flashlights looked wiped out everywhere.
Missy Moyer-Schneck
9:33 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Don't forget to check on neighbors...as most of us won't want to drive to check on family, we have to be readily available to our neighbors and those close by who might need something...political afiliation aside, it's about watching out for one another when the weather gets this freaky
skip to my lou
12:01 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
dont check on neighbors by risking your life to go outside and be hit by flying debris, fend for yourself, self preservation is key here folks
jackson black
10:56 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Stock up on Ammunition
John Fox
12:12 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
I doubt it could get THAT bad from a category 1 hurricane.
skip to my lou
12:00 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
dont buy perishable food, power outage will make it spoil
vote romney, he would never allow the united states to come under attack from a terrorist like Hurricane Sandy
Cate Shea
8:40 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Speaking of power outage, it is a good idea to fill up the interior of the freezer before the outage, for instance, fill plastic quart containers with water if there is empty space in the freezer. That way, if the power should go out, the interior of the freezer will stay cold longer, and you may be able to save food already in there. Minimize opening of the door after power goes out.
Robert Sentner
12:08 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
or vote for Obummer, he'll come up with some type of Czar so this never happens
John Fox
12:12 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
The weather Czar: Al Gore
Carl W
1:31 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
As Coast Guardsman, Obama has us well-supplied & built, as he's doing w/ Navy & rest of military. Keep in mind, many Guard Auxiliaries are inland, & ready to deal w/ emergencies of all kinds. Crisis/ trapped on Delaware, Air Station Atlantic City has new, high-speed choppers, & rescue swimmers, that can be hear in minutes, to rescue any river victims.
Be prepared, however don't overwhelm yourselves w/ panic. Storms reduce on land, and may well reduce in simple 12-24 hrs! Smile !! :-)
InFloodZone
12:16 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Clear gutters, down spouts and road drainage areas of dried leaves!!!!
Ed Eardley
12:18 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
No, Obummer will be standing on Cap May on Tuesday morning trying to apologize for offending it with the hopes that it will not strike us with the full force of its might and hatred.
Carl W
1:47 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Unlike Bush W/ Katrina, he'll be 'on this' from start to finish, & F.E.M.A more fine-tuned. He sure was for the BP emergency, MANDATING before oil was even stopped, British Petroleum put up $200,000,000.00 for recovery, later including repairs of shore, and the advertising for tourists to come back. My kind of Pr3esident !!
Pamela Porter
4:26 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Native/35 year resident of Florida here.
Don't forget your pets - have enough food for them.
Fill up the bathtub. You can use the water to bathe (obviously), clean up, drink (clean tub first, you bachelors!), water pets and flush toilets if you're on a well system and the electricity goes down
Be careful if you have to use candles for light
Don't drive through water - you have no idea of the depth or what's under it.
sin city sally
10:12 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
this is a massive hoax perpetrated by the obama administration,
Joe Blough
12:19 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Hopefully! Anything to keep the war machine out of power in the usa.
Joe Blough
12:17 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
This could be great for the economic numbers with folks buying all this stuff....
Go Economy! Go Obama! Anything nature can do to help keep the GOP from totalitarian rule ever again!
Jay Bell
4:36 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Hopefully, it will only hit where the racists reside. www.firebrandcentral.com
Wallst
7:14 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
May all republicans lose power.
Amen.
Def Essus
12:06 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
seriously? hateful, ignorant political commentary on a storm warning article. right & left alike, you posters are scum. not because you feel politically charged, but because you are do filled with hate. wishing harm on others because you disagree? this violent redneck would live to teach you a lesson. you nobama loving and mitt sucking losers alike.