As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s like deja-vu, all over again.”

With light winds already lifting leaves from trees, it’s time to really batten down the hatches. Sandy could deliver weather just like Irene did, but worse. When the hybrid super storm that is Sandy finally reaches these parts, it promises sustained big winds and floods of rain. Current predictions are that the weather will last for days, with forecasts calling Sandy a wide storm, reaching nearly 800 miles in its width and packing 75 mile per hour winds. Landfall for the storm is expected sometime Monday, with high winds and heavy rains leading the way beginning Sunday evening.

Most tracking maps have the storm veering left just south of New York, slicing into Philadelphia and then moving north up through NY state and into Canada. In any scenario, Sloatsburg is certain to face fierce weather. When Hurricane Sandy makes shore, there will be a rare convergence of three different weather systems. One, moving across country from the west, will draw the Atlantic storm inland and give it additional energy. Another, an artic burst of air coming down from Canada, will create snowfall as the storm moves inland. Officials are advising people to prepare for major weather.

On Sunday morning, NY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that subway, bus, and railroad service would be suspended beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, with  service expected to be restored about 12 hours after the storm passes through.

Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright sent out information to residents via NY-Alert Friday, announcing various measures the village has taken to prepare for the storm. Both the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department and Public Works Department will be on duty throughout the storm period. The village has requested that National Guard troops be made available, if needed. The Sloatsburg Ambulance building, located at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Seven Lakes Drive, will serve as a location for those who might have to leave their homes. Sloatsburg Elementary School, located on Second Street, will also be made available as a safe location.

Sandbags are available at the Sloatsburg Public Works facility on Sterling Mine Road.

Additional village news and information can be found here.

Expect high winds and power outages. Orange & Rockland has issued its own storm advisory, essentially saying that Sandy will be as destructive as Irene was and to expect power outages. Call O&R at toll-free 1-877-434-4100 regarding any downed power lines.

Residents should take care to have a bit of extra food, water and batteries on hand. Prepare for high winds, flooding and power outages. And stay tuned.

Photos courtesy of Machadofilms.