SHARE

Mount Kisco, Watch Out For 'Frankenstorm'

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — With only days before Hurricane Sandy roars into the area bearing heavy rains and strong, gusty winds, Mount Kisco officials say the village is prepared.

Hurricane Sandy is forecast to hit the area as early as Sunday. Since Hurricane Irene in August 2011 and October's surprise snowstorm, the leaders of Mount Kisco have been developing a hazard mitigation plan to address the village's vulnerabilities.

Hurricane Sandy is forecast to hit the area as early as Sunday. Since Hurricane Irene in August 2011 and October's surprise snowstorm, the leaders of Mount Kisco have been developing a hazard mitigation plan to address the village's vulnerabilities.

Photo Credit: Mount Kisco fire Capt. John Boddie

Nicknamed “Frankenstorm,” Sandy is forecast to hit Westchester and the tri-state area as early as Sunday and last until as late as Tuesday, which also happens to be the anniversary of last October’s freak snowstorm.

Since “Snowtober” and Hurricane Irene last year, Mount Kisco is in better shape to combat future disasters, said Village Manager Jim Palmer. The village is in the midst of devising a hazard mitigation plan using money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Members of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee, Palmer said, are now well-aware of the village’s vulnerabilities. The committee is composed of such agencies as the Police and Fire departments, members of the business community, and representatives of Northern Westchester Hospital, among others.

“It’s very much systematized,” he said.

A public meeting on Oct. 22 introduced the plan. Its purpose is to identify and rate the risks from hazards that Mount Kisco could experience, and then take the necessary steps to address them.

Palmer ticked off a list of everything the village has done to prepare for the coming storm as of 4 p.m. Friday:

  • An e-mail blast has been sent to residents.
  • Palmer met with all emergency preparedness officials and village agencies.
  • Vehicles have been fueled, generators tested and equipment such as front-end loaders put on standby.
  • Residents of low-lying areas such as the Mount Kisco Housing Authority were advised to relocate in advance of the storm.
  • Palmer has been in contact with the director of the Boys & Girls Club, which will be available as a shelter if needed.
  • Sand and bags will be available to the businesses of Shopper’s Park on Saturday morning and will be distributed from a truck parked by Cosi.

Over the summer, the village participated in county conference calls with Consolidated Edison to talk about how to improve response times to power outages.

According to the National Weather Service, this weekend’s hurricane is likely to travel north in the Atlantic Ocean, where it could collide with arctic air and veer west to the New England coast, where the combination could cause flooding, widespread property damage and power outages.

Officials advise residents to prepare personal and family disaster kits with an adequate supply of water, food, clothing, cash, toiletries and personal effects, a first aid kit, flashlights, and batteries.

Mount Kisco residents can go here for more information on family disaster planning.

Stay with The Mount Kisco Daily Voice for updates on Hurricane Sandy.

to follow Daily Voice Mt. Kisco and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE