Mamaroneck Prepping For Potential Storm of the Century

As skies turned increasingly ominous in the Village of Mamaroneck late this afternoon, lines snaked out of the Sunoco on 540 Mamaroneck Ave. with people attempting to fill up before the big storm reaches the Sound Shore.

Many businesses on Mamaroneck Avenue nearer to Boston Post Road had their windows taped in anticipation of hurricane force winds. 

Current forecasts indicate that Sandy could touch down as early as tonight, with high winds, flooding and heavy rain predicted.

At Mamaroneck High School (MHS), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers were already at the temporary shelter set up in the school's gym.  Only three families had arrived at 5 p.m., approximately an hour after the shelter opened, but more were expected.

"Over the next few days, we'll have between 30-40 CERT volunteers," said CERT Team Leader Adam Mann, adding that American Red Cross volunteers would be staffing the shelter as well. 

Additionally, the MHS Red Cross Club will provide 10-16 volunteers to help staff the shelter; volunteers will assist in registration, feeding, playing with children and communicating with the Spanish-speaking community, said Eli Russ, president of the Club. Several of the volunteers were also present at last year's shelter that was set up for Tropical Storm Irene.

The shelter will be open 24 hours a day through Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the severity of the storm, said Mann.  There will be food, water and shelter for families who stay and is open to any residents of the Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont and Town of Mamaroneck.

"We take care of them completely," he said.

But, like many, he seemed confident that the outcome would be good.

"I think we'll be okay," he said, adding, "You can't control Mother Nature."

Editor's Note: Additional information about the MHS Red Cross Club was added to an earlier version of this article.