Local Officials Preparing For Storm

County, school and township officials are preparing for Hurricane Irene, which is expected to move into the region early Sunday morning, bringing with it heavy rains and strong wind.

According to the National Weather Service, Irene will be a Category 2 hurricane when its eye moves past southern Delaware early Sunday morning with sustained winds of more than 73 mph.

Current forecasts call for flooding rain and sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph or higher.

Newtown Township officials has provided residents with tips on how to prepare for the storm, which can be found on the township's website. Township officials said Emergency Services, police and public works crews will be on standby overnight Saturday into Sunday.

In an email to Newtown Patch Thursday, Don Harris, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Newtown Emergency Services Department, said residents should secure lawn furniture, stock up on non-perishable food in the event of an extended power outage and have plenty of batteries and drinking water on hand.

"If you have not been evacuated and conditions begin to rapidly deteriorate, stay in the center of your home away from windows and doors due to injuries from broken glass," Harris advised.

If evacuation is required, Harris said all property owners will be notified through the PA Ready Notify System, Local Government Television Channel 22 and local radio stations.  Evacuation routes and shelter locations will also be offered.  

Council Rock School District officials notified parents Thursday that the district would be carefully monitoring the storm.  The first day of school is scheduled for Monday, but the risk of extended power outages could present a problem for the district.

“If its current track and predictions for rain and wind are close to correct, it is possible that the beginning of our school year will be impacted either by a school closure or a late opening," Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein said in an email to parents.

"Electrical outages may also affect our ability to properly communicate these decisions to parents and students.  We will do our best to communicate by cell phone, home phone and Internet if school is impacted on Monday,” Klein said.

The Bucks County Emergency Management Agency today urged residents to take steps to protect lives and property from damaging winds and flooding.

“It is critical for people to pay attention to all watches and warnings,” said John Dougherty, county Emergency Services director. “I encourage everyone to think about severe weather safety and take the necessary steps to protect their homes and families.”

Residents should remain alert and watch rivers and streams, county officials said. If they rise, people who live near water should move quickly to higher ground.

“Don’t drive into low-lying areas or over roads and bridges that are already under water. The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route. Turn around, don’t drown,” Dougherty said.

Bucks County EMA said residents should not call 9-1-1, unless they need fire, police or EMS assistance. After 8 p.m. Saturday, August 27, questions regarding the storm or damage from wind or rain, not requiring emergency personnel, should be directed to the Emergency Operations Center, Public Information line at 215-340-8743. Power outages should be reported to PECO at 1-800-841-4141 or PPL at 1-800-342-5775.

For more on Hurricane Preparedness and safety, go to http://www.buckscounty.org/ReadyBucks/ExtremeWeather.aspx#Hurricane.