Westchester gears up for Tropical Strom Hanna

As Tropical Storm Hanna is making its way up the coast and heads toward New York, forecasters say some coastal communities in Westchester County are at a risk of flooding over the weekend. Both Westchester

News 12 Staff

Sep 6, 2008, 2:41 AM

Updated 5,955 days ago

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As Tropical Storm Hanna is making its way up the coast and heads toward New York, forecasters say some coastal communities in Westchester County are at a risk of flooding over the weekend.
Both Westchester and the Hudson Valley could be hit with the first tropical storm since "Floyd" made landfall in the area nine years ago this month.
A flood watch is in effect for Saturday, as the area may experience 6 inches of rainfall.
Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner John DiBlasi has identified several local roads, including the Hutchinson River and Bronx River parkways, as potential flooding hotspots that should be avoided.
?If the storm does come as expected, we are expecting serious flooding and it would be best to stay away from those highways,? DiBlasi says.
Officials say they are currently tracking the storm, preparing emergency vehicles and putting rescue workers on alert. The local emergency operation center will be activated early Saturday to facilitate communications between various municipalities.
The county's communication truck will be deployed in case the storm leaves any significant damage in its wake.
?It provides interoperable communications between all first responders, which is essential in the event of a major emergency or event,? DiBlasi says.
Emergency officials advise homeowners in areas that are expected to be hit by Hanna to secure loose objects that could become dangerous if picked up by high winds. In case of a power outage, people are urged to avoid candles and use flashlights instead.
Go to to learn more about Hanna.