At this time last year, we were bracing for a hard blow from an early season snow storm. This year, we are preparing for a hurricane. 

October 29th, 2011, started out a rainy day, until around 9 a.m. when the heavy rain changed to heavy snow, and accumulated quickly. Most didn't expect any accumulation, and therefore we weren't prepared for what the next week had in store for a good amount of the Lehigh Valley.

Amounts ranged from 6-14" of snow throughout the area, all areas smashed past records. The last accumulating pre-Halloween snow was in October of 1925 when 2.2" fell. Over 75,000 Lehigh Valley residents lost power, some for over a week and substantial property damage occurred from the amount of fallen trees, and downed power lines.  

Exactly one year later, the stakes have been planted for hurricane Sandy to slam the entire Mid-Atlantic region. Local forecasts showing four to eight inches of rain, and 40-60 mph sustained winds, with higher gusts possible. 

Generators, flash lights, batteries, and bottled water, were a rare find in any store by Saturday afternoon, as officials claimed power outages could be even more widespread, and potentially longer than last October's storm.

Gov. Tom Corbett declared a state of emergency on Friday in preparation, and PPL has arranged for 600 additional crews to be in the state, some from as far away as Arkansas. PPL retirees are also on deck to assist in the response. 

Stay safe, don't travel if it isn't neccessary, and prepare for this storm accordingly!