Get ready for something. Hope for nothing.
That was the gospel of emergency crews and local government in the Valley Thursday as Hurricane Earl headed toward New England.
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Eileen Krugel, the spokesperson for the Ansonia’s emergency efforts, said the city’s Emergency Management Team met Thursday morning to review plans for emergency shelters and emergency responses.
The team consists of the mayor, the public works department, the police department, the schools and the emergency management director.
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“Every action is determined by what happens,” Krugel said. “You can anticipate flooding, but you can’t do anything until the water’s getting high. You can anticipate trees coming down, but all you can do is make sure your chainsaws are working.”
That’s exactly what the Public Works department was working on Thursday morning, Krugel said.
The city also received sandbags from the state just in case they need them for flooding, and public works crews worked to clean out storm drains to help alleviate flooding.
In Derby, Vin Vizzo, director of Derby Emergency Management, said his crews are ready to activate a communications in the lower level of Derby City Hall, if the need arises.
“We’ll be there If the hurricane does hit and we see there is going to be some danger,” Vizzo said.
Vizzo’s volunteers include a network of HAM radio operators. They could be used to help communications on a regional level if things get bad.
If the need arises, the city can open a shelter at Derby Middle School, Vizzo said.
HURRICANE EARL RESOURCES
National Weather Center Radio (will open a media player)
CT Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security:
What to do before a hurricane:
Rell asks the feds for help (audio):
WTNH:
WTNH meteorologist Gil Simmons on Twitter
American Red Cross
Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF via Derby PD website):
Weather Channel Hurricane Central
