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Capital Region preps for Irene [Times Union, Albany, N.Y.](Times Union (Albany, NY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 26--ALBANY -- Stocking up on staples and canceling plans are the orders of the day as the Capital Region prepares for anticipated weekend storms. Hurricane Irene will probably decline to a tropical storm by the time its rains start falling in the Albany area on Saturday night, but it still will cause havoc in the region. "We'll have very strong winds, coupled with extremely heavy rainfall and wet grounds and we'll have trees toppling down pretty easily so we are expecting power outages and wires down," said Joe Villani, a meteorologist at the Albany office of the National Weather Service. "It's going to be high-impact for our area." The National Weather Service estimates that 4 to 8 inches of rain will fall in the Capital Region in a 24-hour period beginning Saturday night, causing widespread flooding. The heaviest winds are expected Sunday evening. Sustained winds may be clocked around 30 or 40 mph with gusts up to 60 or 70 mph, Villani said. The Washington County Fair will not open Sunday, its scheduled final day, and the Times Union Center rescheduled Sunday's American Idols show. Here is a list of canceled and postponed events, to date. The New York Army National Guard and Air National Guard prepared to respond to the weather conditions. The governor is authorized to activate the soldiers and airmen within the state in the event of disasters and emergencies. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that 120 members of the 206th Military Police Company in Latham as well as 30 civil engineers from the 109th will go to Farmindale, Long Island. Ten soldiers will operate a high-tech communications satellite and another 140 soldiers and airmen will be on duty in at National Guard Headquarters in Latham. National Grid spokesman Patrick Stella says the most important thing people can do to prepare is to have an emergency kit ready and to check in with any elderly neighbors to ensure they know the storm is coming and have come up with a plan. "We also urge our customers to bring in or secure any outdoor objects or equipment that could blow around in high winds," Stella said. Joseph Martens, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, advised staying out of the back country hiking this weekend. Mayor Jerry Jennings preemptively declared a state of emergency in the city on Friday as officials from the police, fire, general services and water departments worked to set up an emergency command center at police headquarters on Henry Johnson Boulevard. The declaration, which the mayor's office described as precautionary, could allow the city to order businesses to close early, if necessary, during the height of the storm and would also preserve the city's eligibility for federal disaster aid if damage is severe. "It doesn't mean we're actually going to utilize that," said Bob Van Amburgh, Jennings' executive assistant. Van Amburgh said the city is also working with the school district to prepare to open emergency shelters should they become necessary. Of particular concern, Van Amburgh said, is the city's aging combined sewer system, which is prone to overflow and flood streets and homes during periods of intense rainfall. The city urged residents to avoid activities that involve large volumes of water -- like doing laundry -- during the height of the storm. Rensselaer Mayor Daniel Dwyer declared a state of emergency and said anyone who needs shelter can go to Rensselaer High School. Watervliet Mayor Michael Manning said residents will be directed to the Veterans Memorial Recreational Facility if evacuation is needed. The Daniel P. Quinn and Hanratta Apartments have generators, Manning said, and Watervliet Housing Authority residents would be directed there. The city is filling and stocking sandbags on trucks to distribute to residents and is fueling up all city vehicles by the end of the day. In Green Island, Sean Ward, executive assistant to the mayor, canceled plans to head to Ocean City, Md., this weekend and was getting ready to meet with other village officials Friday morning. All week, crews have been inspecting infrastructure, trimming trees and keeping in touch with emergency management officials . Cohoes Mayor John McDonald said the Department of Public Works is cleaning areas known for stormwater problems. The United Church of Cohoes, the Van Schaick Island School and the Harmony Hill Elementary School are being prepared as shelters. The city's reservoir is being lowered by several feet to accommodate extra rain, he said. "The problem is we don't know what trees are going to fall or where they're going to fall," he said. McDonald said his main concern is power outages, closely followed by stormwater accumulation. "If you have something you want to get rid of, leave it in your basement," he said. Mark Chandler, senior vice president of the Price Chopper supply chain, relied on research from snowstorms past to stock the stores for Irene. Water tops the list along with staples people will need if they lose power and can't cook -- dry cereal, canned vegetables, milk, juice, mayonnaise, mustard and peanut butter. The stores, particularly those in Massachusetts and Connecticut, are also stocked with ice, coolers, flashlights and C- and D-size batteries. Chandler called on Polar, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and the supplier of the Price Chopper brand water for special deliveries. One set of supplies people are buying now that they don't buy in the winter? Charcoal and lighter fluid for grilling after the power goes out. Chandler said the company also has 18-wheel-trucks loaded with generators on stand-by to bring a 24-hour Price Chopper back on line if the power goes out. Frank Esposito, the owner of True Value Hardware on Broadway in Menands for 31 years, has been through storm preparation before, but never when it was warm outside. "I'm used to seeing people prepare for snowstorms, but we've had an earthquake and now a hurricane," he said. By noon Friday, Esposito had sold eight generators, including one to Verizon right out of the window display. "People are worried about their sump pumps and their refrigerators," he said. A 2,500-watt generator costing about $820 will run a sump pump. A 5,000 to 6,000 watt machine will run most of a household, Esposito said. Shoppers at the hardware store are also buying batteries and flashlights, he said. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute canceled classes Monday, the first full day of classes for the fall semester, so returning students can make alternate travel plans. Incoming freshman are already on campus for orientation. Classes will begin Tuesday. Local hospitals have topped off their food stocks and generators. The construction workers on projects at Albany Medical Center and St. Peter's Hospital have cleared the sites and stored equipment so loose debris doesn't blow around during the storm. St. Peter's was supposed to have a crane in on Saturday to perform some roof work, but they postponed the task. Northeast Health, which includes Samaritan Hospital in Troy and Albany Memorial Hospital, boosted their inventory of emergency water supply, ice, milk, produce and many other staples in case delivery trucks have difficulty getting their facilities on Monday. At the Waterford canals, boaters are being offered a chance to tie up without paying for permits. The Waterford Flight Lock will be opened as safe harbor for vessel traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. Water levels do not fluctuate within the Waterford Flight when flooding is occurring on the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, the state Thruway Authority said. Staff writers Dayelin Roman, Dennis Yusko, Tim O'Brien, Larry Rulison, Leigh Hornbeck, Jordan Carleo-Evangelist and Kenneth C. Crowe II contributed. Reach Cathleen F. Crowley at 45405348 or [email protected]. What to do now An emergency kit should include -- Bottled water and food, including baby formula and pet supplies -- A battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, a flashlight and extra batteries -- Prescription medications and glasses -- Copies of insurance records, ID and bank records in a waterproof container -- Fire extinguisher -- Emergency numbers National Grid outage reporting: 800-867-5222 NYSEG outage and emergency: 800-572-1131. In addition: -- Secure all outdoor furniture and other objects -- Fully charge your cell phone -- Fill bathtubs with water for bathing and flushing toilets -- Have cash on hand Sources: National Grid, Niagara Mohawk, Rensselaer County ___ (c)2011 Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |