News

Chemung Co. Waits On Emergency Declarations; Neighbors Prepare

Updated Monday, October 29, 2012

County Officials Wait Out Storm Before Deciding On Emergency Declaration

ELMIRA, NY (WENY)--- Hurricane Sandy has already wrecked havoc along the Jersey shore. She's headed our way, bringing high winds and rain with her.

Chemung County leaders say they're ready for it and they want you to be prepared too. County executive Tom Santulli says he's waiting to see what Sandy brings before declaring a state of emergency but until then, be prepared. As the rain intensifies and the wind picks up, neighbors across Chemung County are preparing for an unwanted guest.

"We're prepared. I don't know what it's gonna do but we'll take what comes," says Tom Burgess.

Be prepared---Chemung County executive Tom Santulli says that's a good idea.

"I would rather be over prepared than under prepared. Err on the part of safety than ego," says Santulli at a press conference on Monday.

No egos at the Jubilee grocery store in Horseheads.

"Yesterday we ran short on bread. We weren't completely out," says Ray Ingham, co-manager of Jubilee. "Water we were out of for about an hour. Thankfully, with the local suppliers we have here, we were back in business in about an hour's time frame. We actually did send a truck and go pick up some ourselves," he adds.

Good thing, because people are stocking up.

"I don't think it's going to hit as bad as they say but we're prepared anyway, whether it does or not," says Carolyn Ackler of Alpine.

Shoppers are grabbing the essentials.

"Bread, water, soup, chili, stuff like that," says Adrianne Summers.

But essentials vary, depending on who you ask.

"Beer, bread and water, that's it," says Kevin Kline.

The consensus is, being prepared is key especially if a state of emergency is declared but that decision won't come until much later Monday night but by then it might be too late to go get what you need.

Athens Borough in Pennsylvania and Tioga County in New York are under a state of emergency. But Chemung county officials are waiting to see what damage is done before making that decision. If a state of emergency is declared, that means only business travel throughout the county and virutally everything would shut down.