Greencastle-Antrim feeling Hurricane Sandy

With Hurricane Sandy on the way, Greencastle residents hunkered down on Monday. They were prepared to wait out the potentially historic storm, with input from the hurricane originating past the Caribbean, a winter blast from the west, and arctic air from the north. Forecasters coined the confluence "Frankenstorm" since it was hitting during the week of Halloween. The storm is predicted to bring gale-force winds, heavy rain and flooding, with the most severe weather starting late Monday through Tuesday.

Once again Community Grace Church, 17 N. Washington St., Greencastle, is ready to help when nature challenges.

The church will open Monday at 9 a.m. as a STORM SAFETY STATION, under the supervision of the Franklin County Emergency Services.

Hot meals, cots and water will be provided.

Any questions should be directed to 717-830-2260.

All are welcome.

The Greencastle-Antrim School District notified residents Sunday afternoon, Oct. 28, through its new message alert system, that school was closed Monday and Tuesday. Franklin County offices were also closed both days. FC Emergency Services contacted citizens with a phone message Sunday and Monday, urging them to be prepared for power outages, and to have necessary supplies on hand. An earlier press release recommended everyone develop and maintain a plan, including how to reunite with family members if they became separated. People were also to have an emergency supply kit that included food and water to last three to five days, plus to keep important documents and items for special needs in an accessible place.

Gov. Tom Corbett declared Pennsylvania in a state of disaster emergency on Sunday, which county officials had done the day before.

Getting ready

True Value Hardware had a steady flow of customers Monday morning. Employee Doreen Piper said they had been very busy Saturday as well.

"The people have been very patient," she said.

They came in for D cell batteries, lamps and oil, tarps, extensions for drain spouts, sump pumps and generators.

"Everything I just mentioned," she continued, "we are out of now."

The store did still have some flashlights.

One man walked out of the hardware store with a bag of charcoal. "I just moved here from Florida, into a hurricane," he said, good-naturedly.

Grocery store shelves were bare for some products. Food Lion cashier Melissa Varner said customers came in for the typical storm-related items - milk, bread, water, propane and ice. Their reactions to the pending storm were mixed.

"Some are just preparing for the weather, and some think the fuss is over the top," she said, then added with a smile, "but they are still buying those things."

A spokesman for AC&T, 255 N. Antrim Way, said the gas station was "swamped". Customer attitudes had been "pretty good. They are just getting prepared."

Frank Ervin, owner of Carl's Drug, joked about the situation. Business operated as usual Monday, he said, except his customers were wet.

"The issue is, doctors' offices are closing early," he said. Therefore, while people didn't tend to rush in to pick up prepared prescriptions, new orders also weren't being called in.

The streets cleared throughout the day, as more folks retreated to the safety of their homes. And waited for the potentially heavy winds to arrive.