Woodstock Early Bird The Early Bird Gets the Worm: earlybirdtips@gmail.com

Woodstock Early Bird is in receipt of this “Sandy” update from Town of Woodstock Manager Phil Swanson, sent at 2:15pm Sunday:
The Town of Woodstock Emergency Management team met this morning to plan for the  first operational period of our response to Hurricane Sandy.

The committee consists of Phil Swanson, Butch Sutherland, Pat Cassidy, Robbie Blish, Penny Davis, Chip Kendall, David Green, Byron Kelly, Dwight Camp, Alison Clarkson, and Karen White ( WES Principal and Shelter Coordinator).

The committee reviewed  the most up to date weather forecasts and the most recent storm updates being circulated by Vermont Emergency Management, (VEM).

1. VEM is saying that the exact track of the hurricane will determine exactly how each community will be impacted. The more northerly the hurricane makes landfall, the greater intensity and duration of winds and rain we will feel.

2. VEM is predicting that the impact of Hurricane Sandy will be felt in Woodstock on Monday afternoon, all day Tuesday and winding down on Wednesday.
3. VEM is predicting 1″ to 3″ of total rainfall,  our area is expected to be closer to 3″ total accumulation throughout the storm.
4. Wind gusts  are expected to be 40 mph to 60 mph. Winds of this magnitude will result in power outages.
5. When the power is out, be very careful driving. If you see a tree across the road, it may very well be tangled up in electrical wires.
6. We anticipate many residents of Woodstock will be affected by long term power outages.
We urge all of our residents to be prepared to stay at home for the duration of the storm.
The general guidelines recommends each home to have three days supply of food, water, medications,  and other necessities. Fill your vehicles with gasoline and have some cash on hand ( ATM’s will not work when the power is out).
Other recommended preparations are to secure all yard furniture, garden tools and items such as tomato cages and garden stakes. Your bird feeders may take flight under windy conditions, so bring them in also.
If necessary, the Red Cross will open a regional  shelter at the Hartford High School ( they do not have the resources to operate a shelter in every town). A Red Cross shelter will have medical personnel on hand to help those with medical needs.

Woodstock Emergency Mgmt will arrange transportation to this shelter for any one in need; call  457 – 2337. A local shelter will be opened if the need arises.