Area Preparing for Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is moving over the Bahamas and hurricane and tropical storm watches have been issued for part of the East Coast. Our area is expected to see heavy rain and gusty winds this weekend.

The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center projects Irene will pass well offshore of the east coast of central and north Florida tonight and early Friday. Irene, which is still a Category 3 hurricane, is expected to make landfall in coastal North Carolina on Saturday afternoon.

Coastal North Carolina is now under a hurricane watch, which means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. That hurricane watch extends from Surf City north to the Virginia border.

Coastal South Carolina and part of coastal North Carolina are under a tropical storm watch, which means tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. That tropical storm watch extends from Edisto Beach, SC, to Surf City, NC.

The National Weather Service says that the current storm watches will probably evolve into warnings later today. A watch means that the weather condition is expected, but not imminent; while a warning means that the weather condition is imminent or occurring.

As the mid-Atlantic seaboard prepares for Hurricane Irene to do her worst this weekend, folks in the Norristown area are asked to prepare for the foul weather expected to hit our region in her wake.

The National Weather Service has already issued an Area Flood Advisory for today and though Accuweather.com reports that tomorrow is expected to be partly sunny and warm, we can expect periodic rain and winds through Saturday and Sunday.

PECO is already taking steps to prepare for the storm in order to minimize the chance of extended power outages.

According to a release issued by the energy provider, "PECO's full emergency response organization is getting ready to respond to wicked weather this weekend, repair storm damage, and restore service to customers as quickly and safely as possible."

The company is taking three courses of action: placing all available crews and personnel on stand-by, securing all available local contractors and arranging for supplemental power grid support from other regions, including PECO's Chicago-based sister utility "ComEd."

PECO recommends that residents keep the company's emergency telephone number, 1-800-841-4141 handy. The release also suggests that home owners be prepared with a flashlight and fresh batteries on each floor of the home and have a battery-powered clock and radio available.

Even if you know that a power outage has been reported, PECO says you should still call to report the outage, so that they can more effectively dispatch crews where needed.

Residents are also reminded to stay away from downed wires, electric equipment, and tree limbs and branches connected to electrical equipment.

Here's PECO's list of what to do in the event of a power outage:

• Customers without power should contact the company at 1-800-841-4141. The more customers who call to report an outage, the more effectively PECO can dispatch crews and restore service. The company's automated telephone system can quickly record your outage, allowing our Customer Care representatives to remain available to handle reports of dangerous situations.
• Stay away from downed wires, damaged electric equipment and tree limbs and branches contacting electrical equipment. Always assume PECO's equipment is energized—even if there is an outage in your neighborhood. Report these dangerous conditions to PECO immediately.
• Turn off and unplug appliances and other devices to prevent possible damage. Remember to keep one light on so you know when service has been restored.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Move meats, cheese, milk, etc. into the freezer to stay colder longer. A partially full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 24 hours, and up to 48 hours when full.
• Customers with generators should never connect them directly to home wiring or plug them into household outlets. Generators connected to home wiring can "backfeed" into PECO's electric delivery system, risking serious injury or death to PECO crews. Generators should always be placed outside to prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning.

The American Red Cross has also issued a list of tips and reminders in anticipation of this weekend's expected weather.

According to the aid organization, the threat Hurricane Irene is posing for this weekend provides a very important reminder that we all need to be prepared for emergencies.

A hurricane can cause floods, which are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

The Red Cross offers this advice:

Stay Safe

• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service.
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Keep Supplies on Hand

• Water – at least a three-day supply; one gallon per person per day
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (a seven-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Let your family know you’re safe. If you experience a flood, or any disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family. To learn more, click here.