STATE, CITY DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY AS HURRICANE SANDY APPROACHES EASTERN SEABOARD

SOMERVILLE - Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today

that, in conjunction with Governor Deval Patrick's Saturday declaration of a

weather-related  State of Emergency for

the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Somerville has declared a public

State of Emergency effective 1 a.m. on the morning of Monday, October 29, 2012.  Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi announced

that he has cancelled Monday classes and activities for all Somerville Public

Schools.  Additionally, Monday morning

trash pickup will begin earlier than normal, 5:00 a.m., in order to minimize additional

debris caused by unusually high winds.

"The latest forecasts suggest that Hurricane Sandy

will batter eastern Massachusetts with an unusually prolonged period of

sustained winds in excess of 50 miles an hour - perhaps for as long as twelve

hours beginning midday on Monday," said Mayor Curtatone. "Winds are likely to

gust even higher during that period, but fifty miles per hour is more than

enough to bring down tree branches and power lines, and to cause other types of

significant damage.  No one should be taking

this storm lightly."  Mayor Curtatone

indicated that the City would monitor power outages and other impacts of the

storm, and would be prepared to open shelters if necessary. "We'll be using the

Connect CTY system, our website and 311 to keep residents informed as we learn

more about the track and intensity of the storm."

The

Mayor recommended that, starting on Sunday evening, city residents stay indoors

and off city streets until advised that it is safe to come outside. "Studies

show at sheltering in place is the best way to avoid injuries.  It also lets repair and cleanup crews do

their work as quickly as possible," Curtatone said. Emergency Management

officials suggest that residents should plan on having food, water, batteries,

flashlights, etc, to enable them to stay inside for up to 72 hours.  Residents with a Monday trash pickup are

urged to put their trash out on Sunday evening and to recover their trash bins

by no later than 10 a.m.  Residents may

also use heavy-gauge trash bags and keep their trash bins and barrels secured

during the storm.

"City

crews have been working since late Thursday to clear out storm drains and

catch-basins, cut down dead trees, trim potentially hazardous tree branches and

to sandbag low-lying municipal facilities that have experienced flooding in

past storms," said Department of Public Works Commissioner Stanley Koty.  "We'll be coordinating with the MWRA and

other state agencies to make sure we eliminated potential backups further

downstream so that we get maximum flow during periods of heavy rain."

"Right

now, forecasts indicate that rainfall be extensive - up to five inches from

Sunday night through Tuesday morning - but spread out over a long period," said

Mayor Curtatone.  "That pattern would

improve our chances to avoid flooding but we're not taking anything for

granted.  We will be as prepared as we

can possibly be, and we hope residents will take basic precautions as well."

City

officials offered the following Preparation Guidelines:

For

high-wind preparation:

• Bring in or
  
  secure lawn furniture and hanging decorations (including Halloween decorations)
• Trim dead wood
  
  and weak or overhanging branches from all trees;
• Check and secure
  
  anchoring for covered porches;
• Reinforce garage
  
  doors so that they are able to withstand high winds;
• Install tie-downs
  
  for sheds, fuel tanks, television antennas and dishes, and woodpiles;

After

the storm:

• Be safe. If you
  
  have sheltered in place, stay inside until you are sure that it is safe to go
  
  outdoors. If you have evacuated your
  
  home or sheltered elsewhere, do not try to re-enter your home or attempt
  
  repairs until it is safe to do so;
• Keep children and
  
  pets away from downed or low-hanging power lines;
• Contact your
  
  insurance company as soon as possible;
• Do not make
  
  permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected the property - but do take
  
  action to prevent further damage, like covering holes in the roof or removing
  
  water;
• Take pictures of
  
  any storm related damage to your property or belongings, particularly if you
  
  must throw away items of value that are bacteria-laden;
• Keep a record of
  
  all your receipts, and document any time you spent securing your property, and
  
  your conversations with the insurance company.     

For additional and updated information, visit the

Alerts section of the City's homepage on the web, www.somervillema.gov.