Local communities prepare for Earl

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island mayors and emergency workers are preparing cities and towns as Hurricane Earl approaches the Ocean State - hoping to avoid a repeat of March's historic floods.

As of Wednesday morning, Earl was a category 3 storm - packing sustained winds of 125 m.p.h.

• See how Earl could affect southern New England

Early forecasts have the storm tracking about 50 to 100 miles off Nantucket - meaning the storm could bring strong wind and rain to southern New England.

The mayors of two of Rhode Island's biggest cities say they are over preparing for the storm.

• Make sure you're Storm Ready

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung says crews are getting extra vehicles and equipment up and ready in case they're needed.

"We're making sure all the extra vehicles are up and ready. They're getting extra gas, extra diesel, extra gas for the chainsaws, extra chains and blades for the saws," Fung said.

He also says he's spoken to all of his department heads to make sure they're prepared to evacuate people if need be.

The city's fire chief says he's concerned about localized street flooding and downed power lines.

"As we get closer to the event and a more accurate prediction, we will be going door-to-door in those areas, informing them to expect localized flooding," said Chief James Gumbley.

In Warwick, city officials say they've already tested the phone alert system and filled sandbags.

• See Warwick's Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Now, they are tackling all questions that need to be answered.

"We're making sure the schools know what's going to happen if we have to close school on Friday and where we're going to shelter people if we need to open a shelter," said Mayor Scott Avedisian.