Mayor's Office: 'Use Common Sense,' Leave Flood-Prone Areas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Here in Philadelphia, officials continue to monitor the approach of Hurricane Irene.
Most at risk are city residents in flood prone areas along the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, in Southwest and Northeast Philadelphia, and in Manayunk and East Falls.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison says common sense should prevail, "We're hoping people will use their brains, use common sense and get out of places that are traditionally flooded and don't put our first responders in jeopardy."
Three shelters will open starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bartram, Lincoln and Roxborough High Schools for residents who may have to evacuate from flood prone parts of the city and have nowhere else to go (see related story).
The mayor says any evacuations would be voluntary; he will not be issuing mandatory evacuation orders.
The city's 311 non-emergency call center will remain open throughout the weekend, 24/7. Use 911 only for actual emergencies.
The city's Emergency Operations Center will open at 6 p.m.
Reported by City Hall Bureau Chief Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060
