Woonsocket EMA Opening Shelter At Cumberland High School As Hurricane Sandy Nears
Officials: City's biggest concern from storm will be winds, power outages. Shelter will open today at 5 p.m.
The Woonsocket Emergency Management Agency is opening an emergency shelter at Cumberland High School at 5 p.m. today, and warns the biggest threat from Hurricane Sandy will be high winds and power outages.
The storm's track is expected to put landfall in southern New Jersey on Monday, according to a release from the city EMA this afternoon.
Rain is expected to start Sunday night and continue through Tuesday. Rainfall is expected to be showery with some tropical downpours. Rainfall in Woonsocket should be on the low range of 2”-4”.
The Army Corps of Engineers will be fully staffed on Monday and will be monitoring the Blackstone River. The Army Corps will operate the pumping stations and River Falls Flood Control as needed. The storm is expected to be a low Category 1 hurricane; Woonsocket’s greatest impact will be from the winds, which could cause power outages.
Winds will be 15-25 mph on Sunday night, increasing in intensity through Monday morning to 25-40 mph with gusts to 50 mph. The greatest threat from wind is expected from noon on Monday until 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Any city resident that self evacuates may seek shelter at the American Red Cross’s regional shelter at Cumberland High School, 2600 Mendon Road, Cumberland. The shelter will open for displaced or evacuated residents today, Sunday, at 5 p.m.
There will be accommodations for pets at the regional shelter starting Monday. The shelter will be fully staffed by volunteers from the Red Cross and will provide food and drink and cots and blankets.
Governor Lincoln D. Chaffee has declared a State of Emergency and all residents are reminded to obey police commands in regards to this storm event. The Woonsocket Education Department has canceled district wide classes for Monday. Education Department staff are NOT to report to work. WoonsocketCity Hall will be open on Monday, but any employee may take the day off using vacation, compensatory or sick leave for the day.
Emergency “kits” should include water and non-perishable food for 3 days, prescription medications for 3 days, flashlights and batteries, fully charged cellphones and fueled vehicles in case of an evacuation order. Extreme caution should be used with power supply generators; ensure that they are wired according to electrical code and that they do not “back feed” the utility system.
s
3:59 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Havent canceled Cumberland schools and why isnt Woonsocket using their own schools for shelter?
English first
6:27 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Perhaps Cumberland is more inland from the river.
russell archambault
8:48 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Should woonsocket transfer all the pit bulls from the dog shelter to higher ground ?
Matthew Desilets
9:56 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
I would hope they have plans to do so if the need arises but the rain is not supposed to be that heavy ( 1 -3 inches total). Wonder what kind of action plan the city has for that.
shelly heldenbergh
8:48 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Most of our woonsocket schools are on the river banks like the two woonsocket middle schools and the high school are on the banks of water
Susan Morowski
2:18 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
I don't live in woonsocket. I am really suprised how much complaining there is. If you don't like the situation then get involved in your city and help to better it. I know the city has it's problems but the bigest one that I see is that most of it's residents don't have any pride in their city. If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem.
russell archambault
3:12 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
S.M. thanks for your advice, maybe you should move to Woonsocket.