STAMFORD, CT -- As Hurricane Joaquin approaches, City of Stamford emergency officials will be meeting today at 1:30pm, to prepare and ready all departments for a hurricane response.

The Office of Public Safety is encouraging Stamford residents to monitor news related to the storm. Several models exist for the path that Joaquin might take. Changes in direction and intensity may be expected during the next few days.

"Our emergency management officials have been in regular contact with FEMA and regional emergency officials. We will continue to monitor this storm and its potential impacts closely," Mayor David Martin said. "There are many variables associated with this storm, so just as the city and its agencies are monitoring the weather and preparing appropriately, we encourage residents to closely watch forecasts over the next few days."

Ted Jankowski, the Director of Public Safety commented, “Stamford has experienced the damage that extreme weather can cause. I am urging Stamford residents to be prepared and take precautions for heavy storms in the coming days. The Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare will continue to monitor and track weather conditions and the path of Hurricane Joaquin in preparation.”

Should the hurricane continue on a path aimed at Connecticut, residents could expect flooding, beach erosion, high winds and power outages.

At present, we anticipate that the storm will impact early next week.  As a consequence, the following actions are suggested:

• Sign up for Emergency Alerts at www.ctalert.gov
• Stay in touch with the City of Stamford through our web site www.stamfordct.gov and the City’s Emergency Hotline 203-977-8840
• bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, hanging plants, trash cans
• have a full tank of gas in your car
• have some cash on hand in case of power outages that might disable ATMs
• have an emergency kit available - one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food,  hand operated can opener, flashlight, battery powered radio, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, small hand tools, blankets, pillow, towels and toiletries
• Keep your cellphones charged
• Keep important family documents safe

A full list of precautions and suggested preparation steps can be found at www.bepreparedStamford.org and www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

As the storm progresses and a more definite path is known, additional information regarding precautions, evacuations and emergency shelter openings will be available on the city website, hotline, and through local media outlets.