Upper Macungie Braces for Irene's Wrath

[Editor's Note]: Patch will be covering the storm's impact throughout the weekend. Please share your photos and observations with us as thomas.demartini@patch.com.

Upper Macungie Township is bracing for whatever Hurricane Irene brings to Pennsylvania which, according to the National Weather Service forecast, is buckets of rain and wind.

The National Weather Service forecast currently calls for tropical storm conditions and a flood watch for the Lehigh Valley, with heavy rain and winds up to 60 mph. Not good news for an already rain-soaked Lehigh Valley that's experienced a rainy August and saturated ground that could help down trees and power lines.

Township supervisor chairman Edward Earley said the township's public works department would be out in the event of any downed trees the storm might cause.

In preparation for possible power outages, Lehigh County Emergency Services has been checking to make sure emergency generators are full of fuel and ready at key sites such as radio towers, transmitters and hospitals, said Emergency Services Director Tom Nervine.

“Certainly there’s concerns anytime you have something of this magnitude,” he said. “No one seems to know what track this thing is going to take.”

Each municipality’s emergency management coordinator usually knows the locality’s trouble spots for flooding and the county coordinates communication between them and the state and other agencies on help that’s needed, Nervine said.

The county is also looking at evacuation capabilities in coordination with the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, should flooding be severe.

Nervine suggests that residents assemble what he called a “72-hour kit,” in which they gather essentials needed for a prolonged power outage, such as flashlights with batteries, a battery-powered radio, food, jugs of water, medication and cash.

“Think about what would happen if the power in your home was going to be out for a week and make up a kit accordingly,” he said.

The county 911 Center fielded 350 calls over 45 minutes after the earthquake Tuesday and Nervine said people shouldn’t call unless it’s a real emergency and should stay off the line so the phone system doesn’t get overloaded.

In anticipation of this weekend’s predicted heavy rain, PennDOT Engineering District 5 said it has maintenance crews throughout the region clearing drainage inlets, removing debris from roadways and ensuring all equipment (chainsaws, backhoes, message boards, etc.) are in good working order.

PennDOT warned motorists to take precautions for driving during inclement weather, and not attempt driving through high water. This weekend’s rainfall may cause water to back up on area roadways.   

Motorists are warned not to drive across roads covered with water because the water may be deeper than it looks. Motorists who encounter water covered roads are encouraged to find an alternate route.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and weather appropriate clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly. 

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA. Citizens can find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the Web site or the toll-free line.