Millions Prepare as Hurricane Sandy Spins Toward the East Coast

SUNDAY, Oct. 28 (HealthDay News) -- With Hurricane Sandy set to make landfall somewhere between Rhode Island and the Delmarva Peninsula on Monday, millions of residents made final preparations for weathering the monster storm as officials in major cities ordered evacuations of low-lying areas, ordered public transit shut down and announced widespread school closings.

Punishing rains and winds that will exceed 75 mph at times will continue from Sunday night until Wednesday morning as Sandy makes her way inland and then takes an abrupt turn northward, according to the Washington Post.

Major airlines also announced flight cancellations on Sunday, and Amtrack said it would stop all rail service between Washington, D.C. and New York City on Monday. Since the effects of Sandy are expected to be felt more than 400 miles from its center, states of emergency were declared in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Maine, the Post reported.

Meanwhile, residents have been advised to prepare in every way possible for the inevitable, and massive, damage Sandy will leave behind.

For starters, be stocked up on prescription medicines, special medical supplies, nonperishable foods -- baby formula and pet foods, too -- and emergency essentials in case the storm knocks out power in your region or makes travel impossible.

"Have a family communications plan as well, in case you get separated during the storm," said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Decide where to meet and how you will remain in contact.

"Be prepared to be self-sufficient for one to five days without access to grocery stores," Glatter added.

David Bernard, chief meteorologist for CBS News' Miami station, said a confluence of events could potentially turn this storm into one rivaling the 1991 Halloween Nor'easter, which killed 13 people and became the subject of the best-selling book and movie "The Perfect Storm."

Referring to Sandy, Bernard said, "That's a lot of warm air, a lot of heat, a lot of energy and of course we're deep into fall now and we have an unusual strong jet stream dip with winter-like cold air, and you put those two things together, that's the possibility that is on the weather maps right now, and that could lead to a powerhouse low pressure forming Sunday and Monday."

In other words, "it's kind of the worst of everything coming together, winter and what the tropical season has to offer," Bernard said, according to a CBS News report.

Experts recommended drafting an emergency plan to ensure the safety of your family, your home and your pets.

Tell local authorities about any elderly, disabled or bedridden people who might need emergency assistance, they said.

Remain alert for storm watches and warnings, and if you're not sure about your home's vulnerability, ask local authorities about a potential storm surge or rising flood waters. Find out where your community's emergency shelters are.

If you evacuate, Glatter said it's important to have a ready-made kit or "go bag," including extra eyeglasses, sanitized baby bottles and diapers. Diabetic patients should keep extra insulin on hand and a ready supply of snacks in case their sugar levels drop, he said. Store insulin or any liquid antibiotics on ice or cold packs during power failures, he suggested.

Patients who use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may need an alternative power source during the storm. This includes a CPAP battery pack, he said.

To be on the safe side, assemble a one- to two-week supply of prescription medications, Glatter said. And "stay connected -- have a list of your doctors with their contact information."

Keep emergency phone numbers near every phone and in your cellphone "contacts" list.

"Have coins and cash available, too," Glatter said.

In terms of hurricane supplies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested the following:

But no matter how hard the winds howl, "Don't panic -- try to take things one step at a time," said Glatter. "Practice slow abdominal breathing if you feel overwhelmed during the storm."