State of Emergency: Monroe Co. Emergency Ops Center Running
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: October 29, 2012
A State of Emergency have been declared in Wayne County, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester.
The last time Monroe County called a State of Emergency was in 2003.
The
Monroe County Emergency Operations Center is the heart of
coordination on a county level for Hurricane Sandy.
It went into full operation just after 10 am Monday.
18 public agencies are working together and will be here around the clock until this storm is over.
The county is worried most about people who live along Lake Ontario.
It says it's 911 hyper-reach system has reached out to 13,000 residents and plans to reach many more throughout this storm.
Multiple Red Cross shelters have opened though out the area, including near lake communities.
The county and local fire departments will help coordinate transportation if people need to evacuate from low-lying areas.
County Executive Maggie Brooks says if you look outside and don't feel safe to find other shelter.
"We are already getting reports of five to six foot waves along the coastline mainly in the Hamlin and Parma area. And winds are at 39 mph. So we are strongly strongly encouraging residents who live in low lying areas along the lakeshore to consider moving inland," said Maggie Brooks, (R) Monroe County Executive.
People are urged to only contact 911 for true emergencies.
Monroe County Excutive Maggie Brooks says she will be monitoring the situation through the ops center.
Brooks says the only shelter that will accept pets is the Dome Arena.
Also, the Irondequoit Bay Swing Bridge is now open in case traffic needs to flow through that area.
There will be no further updates on Monday unless an emergency evacuation is mandated from Monroe County.
