4:26 p.m.
The American Red Cross opened emergency shelters at Lakeland, North Pocono and Scranton high schools and the Jefferson Twp. Fire Hall in Lackawanna County, Tunkhannock Area High School in Wyoming County, and Susquehanna Community School District in Susquehanna County at 3 p.m.
Grace Episcopal Church at 827 Church St. in Honesdale, Wayne County, opened a shelter at noon and five of its eight cots were claimed by 3 p.m., rector Rev. Edward Erb said.
■ Northeast Pennsylvania might avoid Hurricane Sandy’s worst rains, but it should still see a steady dose of strong winds until Wednesday, AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Edwards said.
“It may not be quite as heavy as what we first initially had thought. The worst of it seems to be going south of you guys,” Mr. Edwards said.
Winds are still gusting up to 30 mph at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and there is the potential for 50 to 60 mph winds, he said.
“I think you’re looking at periods of rain, there may be a heavy downpour, but the heaviest will be just south,” he said. “You might end up between two-thirds (of an inch) and one inch of rain when all is said and done (by Wednesday). You really got missed by the heaviest of it.”
The District of Columbia, Baltimore and other parts of Maryland are already reporting for to five inches of rain, he said.
“But one thing to keep in mind is you haven’t seen the strongest winds yet,” Mr. Edwards said. “You’re still looking at the potential for power outages. And if they happen, tomorrow’s not going to be that much better a day.”
■ In Moscow, Mark Mecca, the borough’s Department of Public Works director, said his workers are on call for tonight. They would respond to reports of trees falling onto roadways along with the fire department, which also would help utilities should wires come down.
■ Covington Twp. Secretary/Treasurer Kate Tierney said downed trees are the biggest concern there, and she hoped the township’s road department workers would be “able to be home and rest a little bit because tonight might be nasty.”
“The road department works all day today getting the machinery ready and the chainsaws all ready,” she said. “They oil them and gas them up and make sure they have enough fuel for everything ... and really to take care of whatever comes. We certainly don’t know how bad it’s going to be.”
■ Old Forge Mayor Michele Avvisato said borough police, fire and DPW all met at 10 a.m. this morning to prepare for the storm.
“Everybody’s all on board, waiting,” Mayor Avvisato said.
■ In Moosic, Mayor James Segilia said borough chainsaws, sandbags and additional sump-pumps are primed and ready to go.
Moosic borough is keeping an eye on the water levels in the Lackawanna River and Spring Brook.
■ In Taylor, Mayor Richard Bowen put additional police officers on duty for today, Tuesday and Wednesday to assist with the storm. They will keep an eye on Union Street, Oak Street and Sibley Avenue, historically problem streets with flooding.
Borough Manager Dan Zeleniak said the borough DPW is prepared, adding that this will be the first major test for the new sanitary system at Third Street and the Pond Street and Prince Street stormwater system extensions.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Mr. Zeleniak said.
■ Wyoming County Commissioners have declared a state of emergency, Emergency Management Agency Director Gene Dziak announced Monday afternoon. However, no travel restrictions have been announced at this time. The American Red Cross will be opening a shelter at Tunkhannock Area High School which will be available starting at 3 p.m.
■ Honesdale Borough Council conducted an emergency Council meeting at noon and declared a disaster situation because of the hurricane. Borough administration offices will be closed to the public today and tomorrow and public parks may also be closed. General Trick-or-Treating in the borough has been postponed on Halloween until Mon., Nov. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. An emergency preparation guide is available on the Borough website at honesdaleborough.com.
■ The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has created an online information site for people in need of assistance, as well as those looking to offer help before, during and after the storm atr www.uwlc.net then click on the “Weathering the Storm” link on the homepage. The site will have updates on evacuations, American Red Cross shelters and other storm-related information. Information will also be posted on their Facebook page -
www.facebook.com/unitedwaylackawannawayne.
■ Richard Beasley, regional spokesman for PPL Electric Utilities, said some consumers should be prepare for lengthy power outages.
"Even with the best of preparation, people are going to lose power," Mr. Beasley said. "We are not talking hours here. In some cases, we may be talking days, depending on the weather."
PPL has 1,500 additional utility crew personnel to respond to power interruptions and spent the weekend preparing for the storm, Mr. Beasley said.
"We have all the necessary equipment and personnel ready to engage the storm," he said.
Among the closures and cancellations:
■ Almost all flights coming and going to the south and east are cancelled today at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
■ All Martz Trailways bus service is suspended out of Scranton. A 7:20 a.m. bus to New York City, did leave, but all other runs headed there and other stops including Philadelphia and Atlantic City, will not run today, according to Dan Brunner, Martz director of operations.Mr. Brunner says Martz hopes to have buses back on the road to New York Tuesday, but that hinges on what happens there today. "If the subways are flooded, we probably won't have service," Mr. Brunner said. He noted that most of the customers dropped off at Port Authority need the subways to get to their next stops.
■ COLTS service shut down at 4 p.m. today and there will be no service Tuesday.
■ The Scranton School Board work session scheduled for tonight is canceled and has not yet been rescheduled, board President Bob Lesh said.
■ Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania closed its offices at noon.
■ The Mall at Steamtown closed at 2 p.m. Mall officials say to check The Mall at Steamtown on Facebook for Tuesday operating hours.
■ Live racing at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is cancelled today. The Simulcast room at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, as well as all three Off Track locations, in East Stroudsburg, Lehigh Valley, and Carbondale, will remain open with normal business hours. Live racing will resume Wednesday, with a 6:30 p.m. post time.
■ The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will close at noon today, and remain closed until further notice.
■ The Lackawanna County Commissioners have closed the Coal Mine Tour and McDade, Merli- Sarnoski, Aylesworth and Covington parks through Wednesday.
■ Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank are closing offices at 2 p.m. and reopening at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Other banks may also be closed this afternoon.
■ Lackawanna County and Luzerne County courts and court-related offices will close this afternoon.
■ Garbage collection for the City of Carbondale will not take place Tuesday so collections will be a day behind this week.
■ Geisinger’s outpatient facilities will close early. At Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, Pediatric Urgent Care will close today at 4 p.m. and Adult Urgent Care at 5 p.m. Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center After Hours Urgent Care will maintain normal operating hours, 6 to 11 p.m.
Local Geisinger community practices are also closing early at 4 p.m., including those in Tunkhannock, Kingston, Wyoming, South Wilkes-Barre, Lake Scranton, Mt. Pocono, Mountainhome, Dallas, Kistler Clinic (Wilkes-Barre), Moosic, Hazleton, Mountain Top, Pittston and Pittston-North Main.
Those who can should stay off the roads later today. PennDOT has reduced the speed limit on all area interstates to 45 mph.
■ Those who are venturing out should have windshield wipers and head lights (not just daytime running lights) on as soon they get into the rain, according to AAA. AAA also advises slowing down, increasing following distances and training eyes farther down the road to more quickly anticipate and adjust to changes. Watch for trucks which may be impacted by the winds and give them plenty of room on the roadways. Keep an eye out for debris.
"If in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed power line, the best rule is to stay there until help arrives. If there is an imminent danger, such a fire, stand on the door frame or edge of the vehicle and jump clear with both feet at the same time. Do not make contact with anything on the vehicle so that your body does not become a pathway for the electricity to reach the earth," AAA advises.
The agency also says to not attempt crossing standing water on the road, "as just six inches can make you lose control of your car and two feet of water will carry away most cars," and "If you are forced to stop in traffic due to poor visibility, turn on emergency flashers immediately."
State police are asking residents to call emergency numbers rather than local police when seeking information on road and weather conditions, as local departments will not have road or weather information. The following is a list of contact numbers to obtain information:
Interstates and public information: (800) 932-4600
Pennsylvania interstate: (888) 783-6783
Out-of-state people can call for PA road and weather conditions: (717) 783-5186
Pennsylvania Turnpike: (800) 331-3414
Direct call state Department of Transportation: 511
State Department of Transportation website: 511PA.com and click on the map for any weather alerts or road restrictions.
Get updated weather information at: http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/united-states-weather
For road travel information, check: http://thetimes-tribune.com/traffic