TTN not spared by Sandy

Even as Temple was largely spared by Hurricane Sandy’s wrath, it didn’t keep this TTN crime reporter’s car from being damaged.

Sandy didn’t go unnoticed to this TTN crime reporter’s car | ALI WATKINS TTN

After moving my car from tree-lined streets in Sandy preparation, I heard the guttural boom and subsequent shatter, and I knew before I even looked out my window. Sandy hurled a concrete block on to my roof, hitting at just the right angle to smash through the top of the door and shatter the back window.

On a street full of cars, this little Saturn Coupe is the only one that bears scars from Frankenstorm.

-Ali Watkins

SEPTA makes preliminary plan to restore some services Tuesday afternoon

SEPTA may restore limited service tomorrow, Oct. 30, pending the outcome of an assessment of its facilities, equipment and infrastructure in the early morning.

The transportation authority released a press release today, Oct. 29, indicating its hope of reimplementing some service Tuesday. The Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines would resume first, followed by bus and trolley services, the statement reads.

SEPTA temporarily shut its services down at 12:30 a.m. this morning, in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.

“Other modes of service – Regional Rail, Norristown High Speed Line and Route 101 and 102 Trolleys – which operate in areas prone to flooding and track obstructions, may be slower to return to service,” the statement states.

Based on Amtrak’s notification that its Northeast Corridor service will be disrupted until Wednesday, Oct. 31, the release notes, some Regional Rail Lines will be suspended until further notice. Those lines include: Paoli/ Thorndale Line, Airport Line, Chestnut Hill West Line, Wilmington/Newark Line, Cynwyd Line, and Trenton Line.

SEPTA also said that it is unlikely the Norristown/Manayunk Line will operate tomorrow.

The authority’s review of its services will take approximately 6 hours and be done with the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

Continue to check Broad & Cecil and temple-news.com for Temple-related coverage of the hurricane.

Top 10 songs to listen to during Hurricane Sandy

Instead of Instagramming the raindrops on your window and hashtagging  “#sandy,” some of us at The Temple News suggests you utilize the two days of cancelled classes to enjoy music most fitting for rainy weather.

With a little help from Fear of Music Columnist Kevin Stairiker, here’s the ideal Hurricane Sandy playlist:

“Blame it on the Rain” – Milli Vanilli

“I Hear the Rain” – Violent Femmes

“Purple Rain”  – Prince

“Sunday Morning” – Maroon 5

“I Feel the Earth Move” – Carole King

“The Kind of Boy You Can’t Forget” – The Raindrops

“I Think It’s Going to Rain Today” – Nina Simone

“Train Under Water” – Bright Eyes

“Raining Blood” – Slayer

“Raining in my Heart” – Buddy Holly

Honorable Mention: “Sandy” – John Travolta

Mayor Nutter declares state of emergency

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has issued a state of emergency for the city, beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, and lasting until at least 5 p.m. Tuesday, due to severe weather conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy.

In a press conference Saturday, Nutter issued a simple message to Philadelphia residents, “have a plan, be prepared, and then be prepared to take action.” The mayor added “we are encouraging residents in this city to please stay inside during the height of this storm.”

Nutter said that three emergency shelters would be open in the city at West Philadelphia High School, Roxburough High School, and Samuel Fels High School. The closest shelter to Temple is Fels High School located 6.4 miles away at 5500 Langdon St.

Nutter warned that the storm could cause extensive power outages, as well as flash flooding in certain areas of the city. The city will place robo-calls to residents of the East Germantown area of the city, warning them of the hazards of flash flooding.

Nutter said the city had not closed off any streets, but may do so in response to rising flood waters.

Temple has not cancelled any classes as of Saturday, however officials said they will monitor the weather and remain in talks about canceling classes.

Hurricane Sandy is the first hurricane to reach the East Coast this season. She is expected to make landfall on the Delaware or southern New Jersey shore late Monday or early Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, which as issued a flood and coastal flood watches along with a high wind watch for Philadelphia County.

John Moritz can be reached at john.moritz@temple.edu or on Twitter @JCMoritzTU.

Campus prepares for Hurricane Sandy

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Philadelphia and surrounding counties in the Delaware Valley region in preparation for Hurricane Sandy, which is projected to make landfall in the Chesapeake Bay area early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Reports from the NHC said that while Sandy weakened slightly over the Bahamas, the storm still has a maximum sustained wind speed of 75 mph, and is moving up the coast at 7 mph.

Beginning on Monday, the National Weather Service predicts tropical storm conditions in Philadelphia, continuing until Tuesday with rain lingering into Wednesday evening. Heavy snow fall is also predicted for more inland areas of the East Coast.

Deputy Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said that the university has been working to prepare for the storm by cleaning sewers and drainage pipes, securing trash can lids, going over emergency procedures and keeping up to date on the forecast.

Leone also said that while the university is taking steps to ensure a safety, students, especially those living off-campus, need to use the weekend to make sure they are stocked up with proper emergency equipment such as food, water, and batteries, as well as keeping track of the weather reports.

“Keep in mind what would happen if your power were to go out, would you have enough things to sustain you?,” Leone said.

Leone said that CSS will continue to look at weather reports and talk with university officials into next week regarding class and program closures, as well as the use of the TU Alert system.

Students and faculty can contact Temple Emergency Preparedness and Continuity Planning at tuready@temple.edu. Additionally, those in need of help can call CSS at 215-204-1234 or call 911.

The Temple News will continue to monitor and report on the latest campus news regarding Hurricane Sandy.

John Moritz can be reached at john.moritz@temple.edu or on Twitter @JCMoritzTU.