Once again, District 9 and Sullivan County residents are facing another "100 year storm" as Hurricane Sandy makes its way up the East Coast.

The weather experts are expecting this storm to be like no other, so it's one that all of us should take very seriously and watch carefully over the next few days. Sullivan County residents should prepare for the possibility of trees blocking roads and widespread power outages.

The storm will continue to move northward over the Atlantic and will bring heavy rain over our area on Monday and Tuesday, through Tuesday evening. As of 11 am Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Binghamton has issued a Flood Watch effective Monday morning through Tuesday evening.

Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau is continuing to issue advisory statements and is coordinating efforts between the county government and Federal, state, local, and school officials to make sure that our citizens and infrastructure are alerted and kept safe during this "Frankenstorm."

Here are the projected effects of Hurricane Sandy:

A High Wind Warning will be in effect from 2:00 PM Monday to

5:00 PM Tuesday for Sullivan County.

Rainfall totals averaging one to three inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible. Heavy rain may cause flooding of small streams.

Prolonged heavy rain will cause area rivers like the Neversink River and other waterways to rise and may cause minor to moderate flooding beginning on Tuesday.

Damaging winds are expected Monday and Tuesday. A High Wind Warning means that sustained winds of 40 mph are expected for at least an hour, with frequent gusts of 50 mph or greater. Damage to trees, power lines, and property are possible with winds of this magnitude.

Here are some precautions I would urge you to take to deal with Hurricane Sandy's arrival to our area:

Make sure you have adequate supplies of food, water, and medicines. Get any prescriptions needed for a few days filled immediately.

During the storm, do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely, move to higher ground. Even after the rain has ended over an area, runoff will continue flooding of small streams.

Have enough flashlights and extra batteries, canned goods and bottled water for 48 hours, in case of power outage or

emergency.

Make arrangements to check on elderly neighbors, and arrange for pets to be housed either inside, or with proper shelter.Sullivan County Public Safety officials will continue to communicate with school officials throughout the County, providing them with expected impacts of the storm. Information on any school-related closures will be made through the respective school district through their established notification channels.

The NY Alert system will be a primary notification to residents of imminent flooding or other emergency instructions associated with this storm. The county is strongly encouraging residents to sign up for NY Alert by visiting the website www.nyalert.gov. If you do not have internet capability, then call 1-888-697-6972 and register their phone number(s) to receive priority messages.

Stay safe the next few days. Hopefully, Sullivan County will be spared any major effects to life and property from Sandy's wrath.

Alan Sorensen