A photo of Brooklyn, NY taken today, courtesy of weather.com.

Hurricane Sandy, also known as “Frankenstorm,” is expected to bring on high winds and floodwaters to the mid-Atlantic region.  Plaza College has already taken precautions to prepare for this storm by closing campus for Monday, October 29, 2012, as well as Tuesday, October 30, 2012.  We hope that everyone has prepared, and is continuing to take caution, while we take this storm head on.  Here is some advice for extra steps towards preparation.

1. Gather necessary supplies.
Hopefully you have covered this step already, as it is probably best to stay under shelter at this point.  Make sure you have all necessary supplies in the case that your home loses power, or the water is shut off.  Essential supplies might include bottled water, unrefrigerated foods that do not require heating, flashlights and candles.

2. Board windows and lock the doors.
If you are close to the shore in the tri-state area, you should be advised that the high winds and rough seas are going to be tough to handle.  Already, severe flooding has been reported along several shore towns.  If you are in danger of flooding in your area, it may be necessary for you to board the windows.  For those who are taking shelter further inland, you should close and lock all doors and windows in your home.  Due to the heavy storms and high winds, it is also important to stay away from the windows as best possible.  To avoid further damage outside, anything that can be picked up by the wind should be moved to a secure location.

3. Make sure that your whereabouts are known.
You should let friends and family know exactly where it is that you will be taking shelter in the case of an emergency.  If you need help, or have found safety, it is important to notify someone.

4. Ensure that your car is filled with gas.
In the case of evacuation, it is important that you and your family have a mode of transportation you can rely on.  Again, at this point it is best to remain indoors.  If you are concerned about the possibility of evacuating, but do not have your own transportation, you should contact friends or family to make travel arrangements for your safety.  The New York and New Jersey transportation systems have been shut down in preparation for this hurricane.

5. Refrain from opening the refrigerator.
In the case that the power goes out, you should prepare a cooler of drinks and other food products.  Opening the refrigerator will release the remaining cool air, and could possibly lead to a fridge full of spoiled foods.  We cannot predict the length of a power outage, or how long it might take to fix the problem.  Preparing for the worse is best in these circumstances.

These steps are only the beginning to many.  Click here to see more from CNN and the American Red Cross.