Family Life

10.26.12 | Jeremy Miller

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Sandy and prepare for its potential storm impacts. Cuomo says he learned the last time around from Irene that the state's emergency response mechanism does not always function smoothly. Cuomo says that although the storm track is still uncertain, Hurricane Sandy has the potential to affect many parts of the Empire State early next week with a variety of threats, including heavy rain, high winds, flooding, tornadoes, coastal surges, and widespread power outages. He has directed state agencies to begin preparations now for the potential impact and urges all New Yorkers to closely track the storm's path, using local radio, television or online reports. Meanwhile, transportation crews in Pennsylvania are also keeping close watch on Hurricane Sandy. One forecast model shows Pennsylvania taking a direct hit by what's being dubbed a "Frankenstorm" due to its rare combination of high winds, torrential rain and possibly snow. The hurricane could join forces with another storm out of the Mid-West, creating a "perfect storm." All up and down the east coast, officials are bracing for Sandy, which has already killed 21 people in the Caribbean.