Canton Officials Prepare for Sandy, Advise Residents to do the Same

The town began preparing for storm Sandy this week and residents should do the same, said Adam B. Libros, Canton’s Fire Marshal and Director of Emergency Management.

While several scenarios are possible, it’s much better to be cautious than to find yourself scrambling to stay safe if it hits, Libros said.

 “This storm means business,” Libros said. “It’s better to be over-prepared.”

Libros having several items on hand, including:

• Non-perishable food
• Working flashlight and spare batteries
• A good supply of medications for those who need it
• Extra fuel for those with generators
• A full tank of gas

In addition he recommends family have a back-up plan and perform tasks like cleaning gutters and securing loose and potentially dangerous items in the yard 

Libros also said people should have enough on hand to stay at home for several days in the event of an extended power outage.

While the town would open its shelter if needed, conditions could make it more dangerous to leave the house, he said.

Several people were already preparing for the storm. At Ocean State Job lot people were purchasing gas cans, batteries and generators.

Between Nov. 15 and Tuesday, Larsen ACE Hardware sold one generator. In the past two days, it was 30, said co-owner Fred Larsen Jr. 

The store was basically out of generators and five-gallon gas cans Thursday. Batteries were also selling well.

Larsen said that while it’s good for business he truly hopes to avoid a situation like last year. He also said the storm may be different and produce problems people aren’t thinking of such as pumps for flooding problems.

Larsen also said it will help if people come in sooner than later so the store has more potential to order more of the requested items. Store personnel may even make a trip to the ACE warehouse in New York over the weekend.

“If they come early I have more of a chance of getting what people need,” Larsen said.  

The town began preparing for the storm on Thursday by topping off fuel tanks in generators, cleaning catch basins and other measures.

Thursday afternoon, Public Works Director Robert Martin said a priority was filling all the tanks and getting a handle on how much fuel to order. The department also has sand bags ready to go, will move its trucks to higher ground if necessary and on Friday will sharpen chain saws, clean more basins and prepare in other ways.

“After last year I don’t think too many of us will sit back and assume it won’t happen,” he said. “It’s better to be prepared.”

At the Community Center, Senior and Social Services director Claire Cote was preparing for the potential of a shelter situation, checking cots and supplies, contacting potential volunteers and working out other logistics.

She said the town had much left from last October but may have to order some items.

Anyone who may be able to help can leave his or her name, phone number and ways you can assist to ccote@townofcantonct.org