Harford County: Evacuations Possible on Sunday

Patch received the following Hurricane Sandy update from Harford County Emergency Manager Rick Ayers:

This is going to be a long-lasting event, two to three days of impact for our citizens—wind damage, widespread power outages, heavy rainfall, inland flooding and the possibility of a significant storm surge along the bay.

The impacts will start to be felt Sunday night and last through the early morning hours Wednesday. On Sunday afternoon, we may ask those citizens living in flood prone areas to voluntarily evacuate to a safe area.

Our emergency responders (both fire and police) may not be able to rescue people in those areas during the height of the storm.

On Sunday evening, the county will open an emergency shelter at Patterson Mill High School at 7 p.m.; however, this should be a last resort for people that have no place else to relocate.

Citizens using electrical life-sustaining equipment should consider alternatives at this time and/or consider using the shelter if required.

For those people who must drive during the storm, treat all intersections as a four-way stop if traffic lights are not functioning due to power outages. Come to a complate stop at all such intersections and then proceed with caution.

Also, please don't drive through high standing water.

A safety message for today is for those people using a portable generator: please don't operate the generator inside the house or garage.

For other important information: visit our website at www.harfordpublicsafety.org and review the "Surviving the Storm Guide." The supplies you should have on hand, those areas prone to flooding, etc are listed in this guide.

Thanks and be safe.