CITY OF PHILADELPHIA’S UPDATE ON COMING STORM

311 Call Center Extends HoursrnrnPhiladelphia, September 30, 2010 – The National Weather Service predicts that Philadelphia could receive four to six inches of rain, which could lead to flooding on the rivers. The Schuylkill River is expected to crest at 15.2’ tomorrow in the mid to late afternoon, potentially the second most significant event in the history of the river. The Delaware could experience some minor flooding tomorrow evening and parts of the City may experience flash flooding overnight. rnrnResidents should call 311 for updates or to report issues. The 311 Call Center’s hours will be extended to help residents cope with the storm. Tonight, September 30, 311 will operate until midnight. On Friday, October 1, the Center will open at 8 am and remain open until midnight on Saturday. Residents should only call 911 in case of emergency. rnrn“During the height of storm, stay safe. Drive only if necessary. If you must drive, avoid low lying areas and standing water,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Please take extra precaution to secure lawn furniture, trash receptacles and other loose objects outside because high winds are anticipated. Downed trees and power lines are also expected.”rnrnResidents and businesses in low lying areas with a history of flooding during storms should prepare immediately. Those areas include: sections of Manayunk, along Main Street; the Eastwick section in Southwest Philadelphia; Kelly and King Drives along the Schuylkill River; Lincoln Drive along the Wissahickon Creek; and Delaware River along Columbus Boulevard, from Spring Garden Street to Washington Avenue. In addition, flooding is anticipated on local creeks and streams. Be prepared to evacuate if needed. If an evacuation order is given, leave as quickly as possible. rnrnIf possible, Philadelphians living in affected areas should make arrangements with family or friends to stay the night. If residents cannot do so, they can go to one of the two shelters the City will open at 8pm tonight. They are:rnRoxborough High School located at 6498 Ridge Avenue and Bartram High School located at 2401 South 67th Street. rnrnIf residents need assistance getting to the shelters, SEPTA will run a shuttle from the Ivyridge Train Station at 4996 Umbria Street at Parker to the Roxborough High School. SEPTA will also offer a shuttle to Bartram High School from Cibotti Recreation Center, 77th St. and Elmwood Ave. Both shuttles will begin operating at 8pm tonight.rnrnCots, blankets, food and beverages will be provided at the shelters but residents should bring a “Go Bag” of emergency supplies with them. Supplies should include:rnrnCopies of important documents, such as insurance cards, photo IDs, birth certificates, deeds, and proof of address, in a waterproof and portable containerrnMedicationrnList of medication names, dosages, and a schedule when to take them.rnList of doctor’s contact information.rnPersonal care items: hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, and wipesrnChild care supplies or other special care itemsrnrnOther items that may be needed at a shelter:rnExtra set of car and house keysrnCredit and ATM cardsrnCash, especially in small bills like ones, fives, and tensrnFlashlight and extra batteriesrnBattery-operated radio and extra batteriesrnSturdy, comfortable shoes, lightweight rain gearrnContact and meeting place information for your householdrnSmall regional maprnrnIf residents wish to evacuate with their pets, they can bring them to the shelters. They should also bring appropriate pet supplies including:rnLeashrnPet food and treatsrnPet IdentificationrnPet carriersrnVeterinarian RecordsrnrnPhiladelphians should stay informed during the storm and flooding by listening to local news for critical updates. They can also sign up for emergency text alerts from the City’s ReadyNotifyPA Emergency Public Notification at www.phila.gov/ready.rnrnThe City’s Emergency Operations Center (OEC) will be activated at 8 pm this evening. Agencies staffing the OEC will be the Office of Emergency Management, Philadelphia Fire Department, SEPTA, Philadelphia Water Department, Department of Streets, Department of Licenses &Inspections, Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Gas Works, and Fairmount Park