Politics & Government

Township Emergency Manager: Snow Was Worse Than Irene

The township will open its community center at noon for use as a warming center and shelter.

At some point on Saturday, 100 percent of Lower Macungie Township was without power. And countless trees fell as a result of the weekend's rare October snow storm.

So says the township's Assistant Director of Emergency Management, Ben Galiardo.

"I lost count of the number of fire department calls to respond to downed wires," he said.

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Currently, that number has decreased to about 30 percent, but it's still a huge problem.

"Without a doubt," he said, "This is much worse than Hurricane Irene. People are without power from Maryland to Maine."

Find out what's happening in Lower Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Back here in the township, however, grocery stores located north of Hamilton Boulevard have power, he said, which is a help.

"The biggest issue now is food spoilage," he says, since it's almost impossible to get dry ice in which to keep food fresh.

"People need to remember they cannot refreeze, then use, meat once it has thawed," he said.

The township will open its community center at noon today as a warming shelter and shelter, he said.

"People can stay overnight, but they must bring sleeping bags and blankets," he said.

No food will be served, he said.

Lehigh County has also designated Troxell Middle School at 2219 N. Cedar Crest Boulevard as the emergency shelter for the county.

People who need rides to the center can call 610-437-5252 to arrange rides, though people are encouraged to find their own transportation if possible.

Freezing temperatures and shorter periods of daylight all play into Galiardo's belief that the weekend's rare October snow storm had such a devastating effect on Lower Mac.

"The National Weather Service was right on target," he said, "It said the Lehigh Valley could bear the brunt of the storm, and we did."


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