Category: News || By Submitted Reports

(Hurricane Sandy heads north. The storm is expected to smack into the New Jersey shore early next week. Radar image courtesy National Weather Service)

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County and state officials are urging Mon-Yough area residents to be prepared for high winds, heavy rains and possible snow from a combination of Hurricane Sandy and other weather systems.

Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center predict that Sandy will continue moving north of the Bahamas tonight, head northeast deeper into the Atlantic Ocean, and then turn west toward the New Jersey and Delaware shore early next week.

Direct impacts are expected in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states as Sandy collides two other weather systems, including cold air from Canada and a cold front moving to the east from the central United States, forecasters said.

The colliding weather systems have led some in the news media to dub the combination "Frankenstorm" or "superstorm."

National Weather Service meteorologists in Moon Township said a combination of many factors makes it difficult to predict the exact impact of Sandy on Western Pennsylvania. One meteorologist said any prediction at this stage is more of a "risk management exercise" than a forecast.

However, the McKeesport area can expect heavy rain Monday and Tuesday, possibly mixed with snow, as low temperatures both nights will drop to near-freezing.

"Obviously, there is still a lot of uncertainty in the forecast for early next week with the track of Hurricane Sandy, although we expect to see rain and some snow for portions of our area," County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said.

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Sandy has already left at least 40 people dead in the Caribbean islands.

The county's Chief of Emergency Services, Alvin Henderson, is monitoring reports and getting the county's emergency operations center ready, Fitzgerald said.

Officials in the eastern part of Pennsylvania --- especially in the northeast part of the state --- are worried that Sandy could cause extensive damage to roads, streets, bridges and property.

Glenn Cannon, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, on Friday urged residents to prepare now for high winds, winter driving conditions and possible flooding.

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"This storm could combine with another system to bring some combination of snow, wind, rain and flooding to much of Pennsylvania," Cannon said. "This is the time to make sure everyone has an emergency kit in their home and car, and an emergency plan for taking care of each other in the event this storm brings its full destructive potential to our state."

Little or no accumulation of snow is expected, the weather service said. Even where the atmosphere is cold enough to create snow, ground temperatures well above freezing will make it difficult for any snow to stick, forecasters pointed out.

Nevertheless, county officials said they are prepared for icy roads and dangerous driving conditions.

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"Over the last few days, given the potential for winter weather, we made sure that our salt supplies were adequate at every district and now have trucks filled with salt in every region, ready to go," said Bernie Rossman, deputy director of public works for Allegheny County. "Crews will be on standby when the weather hits."

Crews have been getting salt spreaders and plows ready since Oct. 1, Rossman said.

Cannon said families should prepare for two scenarios in the event of severe weather: to remain in their homes during the duration of a storm, or to evacuate if necessary.

Residents should always have enough provisions in their homes to last at least 72 hours because help from emergency responders may not be immediately available when severe weather strikes, he said.

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State and county officials said an emergency kit should include, at a minimum, flashlights and extra batteries; a portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries; a first aid kit and manual; emergency food and water; a non-electric can opener; essential medicines and prescriptions; cash, credit cards and important legal documents; and sturdy shoes.

"The fact that we know about the potential threat we're facing several days in advance is a gift that we can all take advantage of, so we can make sure we are ready for whatever comes our way," Cannon said.

• For more information on how to make a disaster supply kit and how to prepare for all kinds of emergencies, visit www.readypa.org or call 1-888-9-READYPA (1-888-973-2397).

Editor's Note: All quotes in this story were taken from press releases provided by Allegheny County and the state Emergency Management Agency, as well as from the National Weather Service advisories.

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