Barrington Preps for 'Sandy', Stresses 'First 72 Is on You'

Hurricane Sandy moved north on Friday and closer to landfall in Delaware Bay and south Jersey on Monday or early Tuesday even as Barrington officials prepared for “the worst possible scenario.”

An emergency preparedness meeting was held in the Council Chamber of Town Hall late Friday morning although “we’ve been talking about this since Monday or Tuesday,” said Town Manager Peter DeAngelis Jr.

All department heads gathered with DeAngelis, Police Chief John LaCross, Fire Chief Gerald Bessette and Department of Public Works Director Alan Corvi to go over emergency plans that were used as recently as Tropical Storm Irene last fall.

“We will continue to monitor the storm until we know exactly where it will land,” said DeAngelis. “In the meantime, we hope people take care of the essentials.”

DeAngelis stressed that the town is prepared to handle just about any emergency, although officials did not talk about evacuations from low-lying areas on Friday. Hampden Meadows and Bay Spring are two areas that need to keep an eye on storm surge.

There will be a shelter set up by the American Red Cross at Primrose Hill School if it is needed.

In the meantime, the town manager and other officials stressed that “the first 72 hours is on you!”

That’s the headline on a "personal emergency kit checklist" put together by Barrington and Rhode Island’s emergency management agency (RIEMA). You can pick up a copy of the checklist at the Barrington Police Station on Federal Road.

“After an emergency or disaster strikes,” according to the checklist, “support and resources may not be available right away. Every home needs an emergency kit with a three-day (72 hours) supply of food, water and other basic needs.”

Here is the checklist:

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (ready to eat, requires little water)
• Manual can opener, cooking supplies
• Disposable plates, cups, utensils
• Battery-operated/hand crank flashlights/radio
• Extra batteries
• Prescription medications
• Basic first aid kit
• Cash (small bills and coins)
• Games/activities for children
• Moist towelettes and hand sanitizer
• List of local shelters
• Pet supplies (food, water, leash, license, records)
• Baby needs (diapers, bottle, formula)
• Personal hygiene items
• Important family documents
• Cell phone charger
• Emergency contacts
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Waterproof matches
• Utility knife

These items should be stored in a waterproof container that can be moved easily (plastic garbage can with lid and wheels is best). The container should be stored in a clean, dry, and easily accessible location.

If anyone in your family has special health care, functional or access needs, enroll in the RI Special Needs Emergency Registry. It identifies individuals who require special assistant during emergencies. Enrollment does not guarantee assistance, but it does allow first responders to plan for, prepare for and respond to the needs of the community.

Here is the website for the Registry. Or call 946-9996.