HAMDEN -- The town has issued a press release detailing ways in which citizens can best prepare for Hurricane Sandy.
Here are the tips:
        Create an emergency kit with enough food and water for three to seven days, including all the tools to eat the food.
        Clear out any catch basins near your home.  The Public Works Department is “working diligently to clear catch basins,” but there are more than 6,000 in town.
        Remove any items from your yard, whether they be hefty as lawn furniture or as insubstantial as plastic flamingos.
        Ensure that all electronic devices are charged.
        Review the family’s emergency household evacuation plan. If there is none, create one. 
        Prepare to remain sheltered until the storm has run its course.  Driving during a hurricane is not a good idea.  Do not do it.  Avoid most of all driving through water.  Depth is easily misjudged.
        Mayor Scott Jackson said, “We’ve had three federal disasters in my three years as mayor.  So unfortunately we’re getting pretty good at this.”
        He says the town gathered all relevant parties Friday to discuss preparedeness and emergency plans -- police, fire,f education, community services, elderly services, communications and risk management.
        It was, Jackson says, a productive and sound meeting.