Local senior agencies hope to continue business as much as usual as high winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Sandy hit the area.
"We are not altering services at this point; we may make changes as conditions change," said Steve Williamson, president of Blair Senior Services Inc. "Our [senior] centers will remain open. We haven't changed our services. Transportation will remain running unless there are areas we can't reach because of flooding. We will make decisions based on local conditions. We don't want to cut out people who we can serve."
Delivered meals through the Meals on Wheels program were delivered Monday - two days of meals are delivered at a time - and are not delivered on Tuesday, Williamson said.
"Wednesday delivery is still on, but that will depend on conditions. If we can deliver, we will. Most of our folks have extra meals for occasions like this," Williamson said.
The Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging expects today to be business as usual.
"The one thing we are doing is we will remain operational. We made the decision because we believe we are a vital part of the Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton emergency management response system," said Alan Smith, executive director. "Having senior centers available to serve as shelters or information or staging areas is important."
Smith said the shared ride program also will be operating, and it could be used to either evacuate or relocate people.
"If the power goes out or the governor says only emergency vehicles may be on the road, we may have to alter our plans," Smith said.
The agency plans to deliver about 140 meals today and takeout meals also will be available at the 13 senior centers across the three counties, Smith said.
Meanwhile, the Cambria County Area Agency on Aging has made some changes for today.
"We closing our nine senior activity centers and will not be delivering our home delivered meals," said M. Veil Griffith, administrator. "It is going to get so windy, we are afraid some of the frail elderly people may get blown over. It is better if they stay home."
The senior centers are located in Cresson, Portage, Ebensburg, Patton, Northern Cambria, Forest Hills, downtown Johnstown, East Hills and Nanty Glo.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
