Hatboro, Horsham First Responders Ready for Irene

Non-perishable food and bottled water in the cupboards: check. Flashlights, batteries and battery-powered radio: check. Sandbags for flood-prone, low-lying areas: check.

Along with the individual preparations being carried out for what seems like inevitable flooding and power outages stemming from the impending wrath of Hurricane Irene, first responders in Hatboro and Horsham are gearing up for downed trees, basement pumping, flooded roadways and evacuations.

“I can’t stop the rain or the floods,” Hatboro Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Stauch said. “It’s only going to take a few inches to flood.”

And, since the National Weather Service is projecting “heavy and possibly record setting rainfall amounts” Saturday and Sunday, major flooding is sure to be an issue.

And while Stauch can’t prevent flooding, he and his staff of eight are ready to take it on.

“We’ll be manning the (Emergency Operating Center) right away,” Stauch said, adding that and would be used as shelters if evacuations occur. “The fire department is going to be sleeping at the firehouse Saturday night and Sunday for calls.” 

In Horsham, personnel have already begun placing road closure equipment on commonly flooded roadways, including Keith Valley Road between Davis Grove and County Line roads, according to George Fida, the township’s fire marshal and emergency management coordinator.

His best advice to residents?

“Stay at home,” Fida said, adding that drivers sometimes ignore road closure signs, travel on flooded roads and need to be rescued. “Don’t create a situation.”

With forecasts calling for five to eight inches of rain – and possibly more – Fida said the already “overloaded” creek beds are sure to flood. And, if they do, he said Horsham is ready.

“They’re portraying the worst case scenario. We’re treating it that way,” Fida said. “We’ll deal with it as it comes.”

In the event of evacuations, the American Red Cross has established three shelter locations for Montgomery County. All will be open beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday. The closest for Hatboro and Horsham residents is at Cheltnham High School, 500 Rices Mill Road in Wyncote. The other shelters are located at East Norriton Middle School, 330 Roland Drive in Norristown; and at Pottstown Senior High School, 750 N. Washington Street in Pottstown.

Chief Tim Flanagan said both of the fire stations will be staffed and extra clothes and extra food will be on hand.

“We’re preparing for any type of emergency,” Flanagan said. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to lose electric.”

Flanagan said staff are checking generators for backup at the fire stations and getting other equipment ready.

As for safety tips, Flanagan said people should go to high ground as much as possible. He said important documents, special mementos and the like should be moved to least likely to flood areas as well.

“Our own families have to come first,” Flanagan said. “If you have a family in your house. Know where your family is.”

Important numbers to keep handy:

For non-emergency calls in Hatboro – including a downed tree, or a flooded basement - call borough hall at 215-443-9100 and leave a message.

For non-emergency calls in Horsham, residents are advised to call one of two police non-emergency lines. For callers wishing to speak to an officer, or matters requiring follow-up, call 215-643-3600. For matters like a downed tree on the property, call 215-643-8284.

In the event of downed wires, officials advise residents to call 911 and also call PECO at 1-800-841-4141. The same number can be used to report power outages as well.