Mansfield officials are taking steps to prepare for Hurricane Sandy should the storm touch down in Mansfield within the next few days.
Fran Raiola, Mansfield's assistant director of emergency management said officials will continue to track the storm's path throughout the weekend and adjust their plans accordingly.
Town officials have already touched base with Mansfield's utility liason and have made contact with the American Red Cross should the need arise for an emergency shelter, Raiola said.
E.O. Smith Regional High School will serve as a regional shelter if necessary, Kevin Grunwald, director of Mansfield's human services said.
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Superintendent of Mansfield Schools Fred Baruzzi asked parents in an e-mail Friday to "prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
"Hopefully, the storm will not cause the type of damage we saw last year and school will remain in session," Baruzzi said.
Baruzzi went on to say that in the event of downed power lines and cell towers, he would utilize Power Announcement, a school notification system, to send parents updates on school delays and cancellations. Alerts will also be provided on radio and television stations, Baruzzi said.
Mansfield is currently under a Hazardous Weather Alert through Thursday, Nov. 1, according to the National Weather Service.
For tips on how to prepare an emergency supply kit, visit Mansfield's Office of Emergency Management Web site. And make sure you're Patch prepared for Hurricane Sandy. Even without power, there are still several ways to utilize Patch if you have a smartphone.
