NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
September 1, 2006 11 a.m. |
ERNESTO WAS MINOR INCONVENIENCE IN CARY
CARY, NC – Tropical Storm Ernesto left Cary with spotty power outages—including 8 traffic signals—and16 downed trees in the public rights-of-way but no reports of flooding or traffic accidents, according to the Town of Cary’s “Storm Command”, which is in the process now of discontinuing emergency operations. The ERNESTO HOTLINE at (919) 469-4090 will remain open until 5 p.m. today in case Cary citizens need to discuss any residual, non-life threatening storm-related issues.
Town of Cary offices, classes, and programs as well as Friday solid waste collection remain on regular schedule today.
Severe weather preparedness information is always available at www.townofcary.org. While at our Web site, consider subscribing to the Town’s electronic mailing list service to receive news releases the moment they are issued to the media.
This is the final Ernesto news release update.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS: |
Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4090 Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
September 1, 2006 |
CARY TREES BOW TO ERNESTO
CARY, NC – Ernesto’s gusty winds have downed a handful of trees and led to spotty power outages in Cary overnight, but there have been no reports of storm-related flooding or traffic accidents thus far. West Cornwall Street in central Cary is currently closed from Pond to Griffis streets as crews work to remove a tree that’s become entangled in telephone lines; officials expect the road to reopen by dawn. However, those who have to drive this morning are encouraged to add extra time to their commutes to allow for changing conditions.
Always assume that power lines are energized; never touch them.
Town of Cary offices and Friday solid waste collection remain on regular schedule.
Persons with questions regarding Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources sporting events should call the weather line at (919) 319-4500 x 505. For all other programs or PRCR classes, please contact the facility where the class or event is being held.
Cary citizens should call the ERNESTO HOTLINE at (919) 469-4090 with non-life threatening storm-related questions or concerns such as reporting street flooding or downed trees on public property; only those experiencing immediate threats to life or health should call 9-1-1.
See www.townofcary.org for the latest storm information. There, you can subscribe to the Town’s electronic mailing list service to receive news releases as they are issued.
The next Ernesto news release update will be issued around noon today unless changing conditions warrant earlier action.
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| PRIMARY CONTACTS: |
Mike Bajorek, Public
Works Director, (919) 469-4090 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
August 31, 2006 10 p.m. |
ERNESTO POSES LITTLE PROBLEM FOR CARY THUS FAR
CARY, NC – Occasional and relatively light showers and wind gusts are all that most Cary residents have seen from Ernesto this evening. Even so, the Town of Cary’s “Storm Command” remains fully staffed 24/7 to handle any issues related to the storm. This includes the Town’s ERNESTO HOTLINE—(919) 469-4090—which citizens should call with non-life threatening storm-related questions or concerns such as reporting downed trees on public property or street flooding. Only people experiencing immediate threats to life or health should call 9-1-1.
Although there have been no reports of storm-related traffic accidents or trees blocking Cary streets or sidewalks, officials believe that an isolated power outage along Kildaire Farm Road at this hour is likely related to tree limbs hitting a power line.
Town of Cary offices remain on regular schedule for Friday, September 1. Persons with questions regarding Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources sporting events should call the weather line at (919) 319-4500, x-505. For all other programs or PRCR classes, please contact the facility where the class or event is being held.
Friday solid waste collection remains on schedule.
See www.townofcary.org for the latest storm information from the Town of Cary. There, you can subscribe to the Town’s electronic mailing list service to receive news releases as they are issued.
The next Ernesto news release update will be issued around 5 a.m. on Friday, September 1, unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS: |
Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4090 Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
August 31, 2006 3 p.m. |
TOWN OF CARY PREPARED FOR ERNESTO
CARY, NC – In preparation for Ernesto flooding and winds, the Town of Cary has activated “Storm Command” – the Town’s emergency operations center (EOC) that is being staffed 24/7 to handle any issues related to the storm. Citizens with non-life threatening storm-related questions or concerns, including downed trees on streets and sidewalks, should call the ERNESTO HOTLINE at (919) 469-4090; only people experiencing immediate threats to life and health should call 9-1-1. As always, comprehensive information will be available on the Town’s Web site throughout the weather event.
“We are now working around the clock to stay one step ahead of the storm,” said Town of Cary Public Works Director Mike Bajorek. “Our staff has been preparing for Ernesto during the past several days, including inspecting culverts, checking equipment and supplies. We will continue to monitor the storm, and crews will are ready to respond as conditions worsen.”
As part of “Storm Command”, the Town has the following resources available for storm response: 11 teams for handling flooding and fallen trees; 2 teams to respond to problems with traffic signals; 2 fleet technicians to keep vehicles moving; 1 team for water and sewer emergencies; and Cary’s Utility System Maintenance unit and plant personnel are staffed at emergency levels. The Town also plans to use its new dynamic message signs to quickly display weather conditions that may impact travel.
Regarding preparedness activities for the Town’s Swift Creek Regional Pump Station that suffered damage during the Triangle’s last tropical storm, pipes and joints have been heavily reinforced and electrical panels have been flood-proofed. In addition, stormwater swales have been concreted, and valve vaults have been reinforced with wood structures and sandbags.
“We are extremely confident that the pump station will weather this storm just fine,” said Utilities Director Rob Bonné.
So far, Town of Cary offices remain open and on regular schedule today and Friday, September 1. Persons with questions regarding Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources sporting events should call the weather line at (919) 319-4500, x-505. For all other programs or classes, please contact the facility where the class or event is being held.
Citizens are advised to complete ALL preparedness tasks immediately, including checking their 3-Day Emergency Kit, finalizing evacuation plans, and securing any loose outdoor items such as trash cans or lawn furniture. Also, motorists should always avoid driving through flood waters.
Please remember: Cary citizens with any non-emergency questions or those needing to report downed trees or other property damage not posing immediate threats to life or health should call the ERNESTO LINE at (919) 469-4090. All actual emergencies threatening life and health should be reported to 9-1-1.
The next Ernesto news release update will be issued around 10 p.m. unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS: |
Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4090 Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
August 29, 2006 |
TOWN OF
CARY
READIES FOR ERNESTO
Citizens
Encouraged to Get Prepared
“This is the time to get
emergency plans and provisions in order,” said Cary Fire Chief Allan Cain.
Cain oversees the organization’s emergency preparedness activities.
For its part, the Town is
inspecting culverts and catch basins along more than 450 miles of streets to
ensure that they’re free of debris so that flood waters can drain quickly.
Fuel supplies for vehicles and emergency generators are being topped off,
and lightweight objects in parks are being secured.
Later this week, crews
will attend safety briefings on working in flooded areas and using related
equipment such as chainsaws for debris removal.
And because Friday is the unofficial start of a holiday weekend,
supervisors are compiling emergency work assignment schedules to ensure that
personnel resources will be in place if needed.
“We’re in good
shape,” said Public Works Director Mike Bajorek.
“As always, we’ll continuing constantly tracking the storm and
adjusting our preparations appropriately.”
As part of its
continuing effort to improve emergency preparedness, the Town recently completed
its first-ever Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training
For detailed preparedness
information, see the Severe
Weather section of www.townofcary.org.
The next update will be
Thursday afternoon unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS: |
Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4093 Allan Cain, Fire Chief, (919) 469-4056 April R. Little, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 481-5091
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 393-4383 (pager)
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