Island-Wide CodeRed Message

This is a public safety message concerning hurricane Sandy.

Sandy is now a large and dangerous system.  We will experience damaging winds, and wide-spread power outages over an unusually long period of time. South-facing beaches will be especially hazardous due to high energy surf generated by this storm, as well as due to severe beach erosion, and potentially severe coastal flooding.

We expect these conditions to begin early tomorrow,  Monday, October 29 with a good chance of lasting well into Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

All Vineyard Public Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday. All town halls will be closed Monday, and possibly Tuesday.  The Steamship Authority is suspending operations beginning Monday.

If your property is prone to flooding, consider locating to higher ground. A shelter will be opened at the Chilmark Community Center starting at 6pm today Sunday October 28.

Take precautions now to protect yourself, your family, and your property. By now you should have assembled non-persishable food,  water, flashlight and batteries, portable battery-powered radio, and have secured all loose items in your yard.

Please stay off the roads during the storm and afterwards to allow clean-up crews to do their work unimpeded.  Some roads may be impassable. The Governor has closed all state offices on Monday.

Check your town and local webpages for updates.

Thank you, and stay safe.