Rye and other Sound Shore communities are bracing for the storm moving up the coast under the names Hurricane Sandy and “Frankenstorm.”
Rye City Manager Scott Pickup is calling it “Sandra” out of respect. “Sandy” sounds too friendly for what’s shaping up to be a formidable storm, he said.
In flood-prone Rye, crews were checking construction sites, catch basins and other areas today to prevent debris from being strewn around during a storm. Dumpsters, benches and wood from a dock-building project were secured.
“Today’s a day to clean up and tie down,” Pickup said. Officials are preparing for the worst due to the high tides in combination with the forecast. Rye was hit hard by Irene, and motorists often become stranded in storms after pulling off Interstate-95 in search of safety.
The city’s rescue efforts, if needed, will be assisted with three Humvees and a truck that were obtained over the summer as government surplus, he said. They can travel in water up to 5 feet high. “Hopefully we won’t have to use them, but if we do, they’re here,” he said.
For advisories on how to prepare for the storm and receive emergency alerts, see the Rye website. You can also find advisories for Rye Brook and Port Chester.
