East Greenwich Prepares As Threat Of Irene Looms

Generators were flying out the doors early Thursday at Salk’s Ace Hardware on Post Road and everyone at Benny’s was picking up flashlights and batteries at midday. At the public boat launch, people were beginning to line up to get their boats out of the water. Hurricane Irene is making itself felt in EG days before it’s due to arrive.

"Why take the chance?" said Jerry Hartley at the town dock Thursday. He was waiting to pull his quahog boat out of the water.

"We've been flat out all day," said Sue Wild at Salk's Ace Hardware. People were waiting outside the store when she arrived at 7:50, she said. "We sold nothing but generators for an hour and a half."

Town Manager Bill Sequino met Thursday morning with department heads from police, fire, public works and finance to discuss strategy. They will meet again Friday morning, Sequino said, and stay in contact through the weekend.

“Everyone is generally prepared,” Sequino said. “We’re prepared for tree damage. Public Works and Fire are prepared to help pump out basements.”

If people feel the need to evacuate, the first place to open will be the Community Room at the EG Police Department. Sequino said that they would open up Swift Community Center if needed.

If a state of emergency is declared, he said, then some of the costs associated with dealing with the story will reimbursed by the federal government. “We can get reimbursed for overtime and some equipment costs,” Sequino said.

As of Thursday, Sequino said they had not decided if the police and fire boats would be pulled from the water. That will be decided on Friday, he said.

Check back throught the coming days for the latest in EG-related hurricane news and let us know if you have any tips or questions.