Local Shelters Open, Authorities Say They're Ready

An eerie calm was the most noticeable thing Hurricane Irene had brought to Harrison's downtown by 10 p.m. Saturday night.

That is expected to change by Sunday, as predictions continue to call for the Category 1 hurricane to hit the Sound Shore in the early morning hours, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the area.

At the 25-30 firefighters will spend the night at headquarters, waiting for calls or people looking for a place the stay. The department is a designated emergency shelter and will have open doors to anyone in need until the storm clears the area.

Firefighters are on call at the as well.

Cots, food and water are available to anyone who needs it at the downtown fire department as well as the in West Harrison. At 11 p.m. no one had checked in at either location, but that doesn't mean authorities aren't prepared for a busy day Sunday. A boat, an ATV and other emergency supplies have been checked and are ready to go at a moments notice, said Harrison Fire Chief Dino Del Signore.

"Everything you can think of, just in case," Del Signore said. "We're ready for it."

On Sunday EMS vehicles will be stationed in Purchase and at the downtown fire department as well as at next to the police station. Harrison's firefighters will be in constant contact with police and EMS workers throughout the day, Del Signore said.

The town's other department heads have been holding meetings this week and will be in contact as it becomes necessary this weekend, Harrison Supervisor Joan Walsh said .

Volunteer and career firemen have been stationed downtown since Saturday afternoon so they won't have to travel into work during the worst of the storm.

"It's not the first time we've done it and it won't be the last time," Del Signore said. "It's just what we do."

Things were quiet outside of emergency shelters Saturday night as the outer bands of rainfall reached the area. Most businesses were closed by 10 p.m., and those that remained open weren't terribly busy by the time heavier rain began to fall around 10:30 p.m.

Harrison remains under a Hurricane Warning, Tornado Watch and Flood Watch into Sunday. The strongest part of the storm is expected to move through the area early Sunday morning, dumping rain on the region and bringing strong and potentially dangerous winds, according to the National Weather Service.

Residents are urged to be careful throughout the day Sunday. In the event of an emergency, local authorities are standing by.

"It's just wait and see," Del Signore said. "The guys are prepared and ready."