Brookline Officials Preparing for Hurricane Landfall

Though forecasters still don't know weather Hurricane Earl will brush up against New England or spin harmlessly into the ocean, Brookline public safety officials say they are preparing for the worst.

"Please be assured that the Brookline Emergency Management Team is working very hard, and around the clock to assure we are ready to serve and assist the residents of Brookline in the event that Earl strikes," Sergeant Robert Disario said in an email.

Disario urged residents to make preparations for the storm, which could hit this Friday, Sept. 3. The Brookline Emergency Management Team recommends residents:

• Develop a Communication Plan with your family.
• Have 72 hours of food and water on hand.
• Have a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
• Stay informed of any possible risks in the area through local media.
• Follow directions of local public safety officials.

The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for parts of southern New England and a tropical storm watch for Brookline and other eastern Massachussets communities. Disario said Brookline public safety officials are in talking with state and federal agencies who are tracking the progress of the storm and its potential impact on Brookline.

For more detailed information, and the most recent updates about hurricane safety, please visit the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) website, www.mass.gov/mema.