Hurricane Sandy, the 18^th named storm of this Atlantic hurricane season, battered the Caribbean earlier this week.  Now, it is on course to make landfall along the northeastern coast of the United States within the next few days.

Forecasters, at this point, are uncertain of the exact track the storm will take, but expect it to be a long duration and high impact event. They anticipate that Sandy will bring high winds, heavy rain, coastal storm surges, and flooding to this country’s most densely populated region.  These weather hazards are, in turn, likely to cause widespread power outages.

To prepare, emergency officials suggests:

• Monitor the news for the latest storm information and any evacuation orders
• Prepare a storm emergency kit with:
  • Water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Flashlights
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  • First aid kit
  • Cash
  • Filled prescriptions
  • Extra batteries

For more details on storm preparedness, visit the websites of FEMA and the American Red Cross.