nothin New Haven Independent | Hurricane Hype or Proper Preparation or Both?

Hurricane Hype or Proper Preparation or Both?

File Photo

Hurricane Sandy in October, 2012.

Meteorologists are having a field day this week second-guessing the path of Hurricane Joaquin as it churns up the Atlantic. As of Friday morning, it was still a serious slow-moving Category 4 storm over the Bahamas.

The now-ubiquitous spaghetti models showed landfall all up and down the East Coast and even heading for Connecticut as of Thursday; talk about its possible landfall along the shoreline started as early as Tuesday this week for an anticipated arrival this Monday. However, as of Friday morning, the storm is moving toward the northeast, out to sea and away from Connecticut and the East Coast.

That doesn’t mean the shoreline will remain untouched. Tides have been higher all week due to the Supermoon and the storm’s proximity will add to the probability of coastal flooding and northeast wind.

File Photo

Hammer Field after Hurricane Sandy, October, 2012.

The lessons of Sandy and Irene have been learned and the town and state are prepared.

Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection officials held a conference call this morning to update reporters on preparations the state is taking in advance of Hurricane Joaquin. Even as forecasts adjust, state officials have been preparing and monitoring the storm closely and responding accordingly. 

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove told the Eagle that he met with all department heads yesterday. Things can change but you need to prepare,” he said. We wanted everyone to be on board. The fire and police chiefs attended the meeting, along with public works and school officials. If a shelter were to be needed, Cosgrove said, the high school would be chosen because it has its own generator.

Emergency Management Director for the town and Police Captain Ray Dunbar said all departments are always ready. This is a heightened time and everything is in place.”

He added that equipment and cars are ready as are the pumps at the water treatment plants – all the normal preparations. Any advisories will be sent out through the Selectman’s office,” he said. Branford keeps on top of everything.”

As with the threat of any bad weather, you can be sure the supermarkets will be packed as people hunker in to await the final weather prediction.

But supermarkets late Friday afternoon were relatively empty; a sign perhaps that hurricane hype was dying down.

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