After days of warnings to prepare for the worst, area residents have few options but ride out the storm that's drenching the area and whipping it with sometimes fierce winds.
We hope people followed the advanced notice about Hurricane Sandy, which as predicted took a left turn into the mid-Atlantic region, bringing rain and wind to a wide swatch of the heaviest populated area of the country.
People were told they should prepare for power outages by ensuring flashlights worked, stockpiling batteries and ensuring they had enough food, medicine and water to carry them for several days.
If you did that, congratulations.
If not, we hope the storm isn't as devastating as forecasts predicted.
As we continue to deal with Sandy's aftermath later today and into the rest of the week, it's important for people to remain on guard. The saturated ground increases the risk of trees toppling over, potential creating more power outages.
In addition, we ask area residents to check on their neighbors, friends and family - especially the elderly or the infirmed - to see if they need assistance. This will especially be true in cases of prolonged power outages, a loss of telephone service or flooded basements that could result in a loss of heat.
Sandy - previously dubbed Frankenstorm - will serve as a reminder to take future weather warnings seriously.
Your chances of coming through unscathed are best when you prepare for the worst.
