Hurricane Sandy Approaches With High Wind Warning & Flood Watch

Rockland County’s Office of Emergency Management starts operations at 6 .am. Monday, the same time the National Weather Service’s (NWS) High Wind Warning goes into effect.  The High Wind Warning remains in effect for 36 hours until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Clarkstown’s Office of Emergency Management is scheduled to begin operations at 8 a.m. Monday.  Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef issued a State of Emergency Declaration for the county at 6 p.m. that gives him broader powers for dealing with any emergency situations that develop from Hurricane Sandy. 

Clarkstown Schools are closed Monday.  County bus service is significantly reduced. County Spokesman Ron Levine said on Sunday evening that non-emergency county personnel are expected to report to work on Monday. 

Sections of Stony Point and Piermont are under voluntary evacuations.

The NWS also issued a Flood Watch for Rockland from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon with rainfall of two to six inches possible from Hurricane Sandy.

The High Wind Warning forecasts damaging winds of long duration with winds of 35 to 45 mph and gusts of up to 75 mph possible. According to NWS, the strongest winds are expected from Monday afternoon through the night.

The sustained winds present a significant threat because they can down trees and snap large branches.  Power outages are expected and possible blocked roads. Resident and business owners should anchor or move loose items indoors.   The winds are also expected to blow remaining leaves off trees, which can block culverts and storm drains, adding to the flooding potential. 

Heavy bands of rain are possible and the NWS predicted rainfall potential in those areas of one to two inches an hour.