With Hurricane Sandy barreling toward the city, city agencies are preparing for the possible massive storm.
The heavy rain and strong winds can cause unsafe conditions throughout the public transportation system and on the city’s bridges and tunnels. No decision has been made yet as to whether there will be any service stoppages during the storm.
“We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota. “Whatever happens, we’ll be ready.
They MTA last suspended operation during Hurricane Irene. The MTA’s hurricane plan calls for “an orderly shutdown of service before the arrival of sustained winds of 39 mph or higher. Sustained winds are forecasted to be between 40-50 mph.
Those high winds and rain falling at 1-2 inches per hour may also knock out power.
“This is a large unpredictable storm, so be prepared for outages,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Con Edison has crews prepping for the conditions that could effect the city’s electric, gas and steam systems.
Customers can report downed power lines and outages at www.conEd.com. They also can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).
In the event the hurricane hits our area, Con Edison offered the following safety tips:
- If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water.
- Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
- If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored.
- Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios are working. Also, make sure you have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates and news on power outages can be heard on most local radio and television stations.
- Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 24 hours.
