Harrison Officials Preparing for the Worst

Harrison officials are preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best, as Hurricane Irene—currently a category 3 hurricane—threatens to bring dangerous weather conditions to the area this weekend.

Latest reports from the National Weather Service (NWS) predict the storm will hit the area anytime between Saturday and Sunday night. There is a 30 to 40 percent chance of tropical storm-force winds in the area during that span, according to the NWS. That chance has increased 10 percent over the last 24 hours.

Department heads in Harrison had a staff meeting Thursday morning and are scheduled to meet again Friday. Another meeting is possible Saturday, depending on weather predictions at that point, said Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh.

"Everything is laid out now with the police department, fire department and department of public works," said Walsh. "Everyone is in contact and has everyone's number."

Walsh added that Harrison officials are in connection with Con Edison in the event of power outages.

Emergency shelters will be established this weekend at the and the for people whose homes are flooded or without power. Those shelters will have food, cots and water, Walsh said.

As the storm approaches, Harrison EMS will also be checking in with a list of residents who need special assistance in times of emergency. The decision to send out laborers from the department of public works would be made Saturday if predictions of flooding and dangerous winds hold up, Walsh said.

"We are being prepared for the worst case," she said. "Hopefully it will be in vain."

The county's Emergency Operations Center in Hawthorne was partially opened Thursday. County Executive Robert Astorino has directed county departments to begin preparations for the storm, according to a statement released Thursday. These departments include emergency services, public safety, communications, health, public works, transportation, information technology, senior programs, environmental facilities, social services and parks and recreation.

"All relevant county departments are putting together response plans in the event this storm impacts us," the county executive stated. "We hope we will not be severely affected by Irene, but we need to prepare for the worst.”

By Thursday evening a Hurricane Watch had been extended into southern New Jersey. Hurricane Irene is currently generating sustained 115 mph winds. It is possible it could generate more power Thursday evening into Friday.

The storm is currently moving north-northwest on a track toward the North Carolina coast. Projections continue to show the center of the storm traveling up the New Jersey coast toward the Tri-State area over the weekend, according to the NWS.

At 4:30 p.m. Thursday New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency in preparation for this weekend. The state's Emergency Operations Center in Albany will operate around the clock through the weekend as the storm approaches. Cuomo outlined a list of preparations in a statement released Thursday.

"In this emergency I am activating all levels of state government to prepare for any situation that may be caused by Hurricane Irene," Gov. Cuomo stated. "We are communicating with our federal and local partners to track the storm and to plan a coordinated response, and we will deploy resources as needed to the areas expected to be hit the hardest." 

Locally, people in low-lying and flood-prone areas of town are urged to take caution. Rain this week may have saturated the ground, making flooding even more likely in areas like Nelson Avenue, the Woodlands neighborhoods and Underhill Place in West Harrison.

Anyone with an emergency is asked to dial 911 or call Harrison Police at 914-967-5110. Residents experiencing an interruption in electrical service should not call police, and instead contact Con Edison Directly at 1-800-75-CONED to report their outage. 

The American Red Cross has released a list of preparations for anyone in the projected path of Hurricane Irene.

Patch will continue to have updates on possible flooding, wind damage and other situations that may arise throughout the weekend.