Smithfield 'Reaching the Height of the Storm,' Says Town EMA Chief

Just before 6 pm on Monday, Smithfield EMA Director Todd Manni said the town is ready for the brunt of Hurricane Sandy as the storm system moves ashore tonight.

"We're ramping up for the storm," Manni explained during a phone interview from the Smithfield Police Department, where the town's Emergency Operations Center is located. "This is going to be the most critical time for us, from now until about midnight."

Up to that point, 69 residents had reported power outages, and Manni said local officials were "closely monitoring that situation."

After preparing sandbags for distribution from the town's DPW garage and activating police and fire units for quick response to emergencies, Manni added there was little more to do by 6 pm than wait.

"We're standing by and patiently watching the storm — we're in the height of iit now, so everybody's waiting to see what's going to come about," Manni explained.

Read more:

Emergency Contact Numbers and Information for Smithfield

Smithfield Closings Due to Sandy [post your cancellation by clicking the link.]

10 Ways to Use SmithfieldPatch During the Storm