RIers begin to prep for Sandy impact

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -- Residents all over Southern New England are starting to take some precautions, though Hurricane Sandy is still days away from the region.

• Related: Officials monitoring hurricane, advise precautions
• More: Tony's Pinpoint Weather Blog

At 4 p.m. Thursday, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency is planning to hold a conference call for updates on Sandy's progress, and if we'll be in for a little -- or a lot -- of upheaval from the storm.

National Grid is already expecting Sandy to prompt power outages. The utility's David Graves said Thursday they're also mobilizing some crews to trim back overgrown trees and branches , so they don't fall into yards or windows.

Tree trimming pros Northeast Tree Company are already starting to get calls from customers to give their yards attention.

Brewers Greenwich Bay Marina in Warwick tells Eyewitness News that at this time of year, they're already getting boats out of the water and into drydock. But Sandy's activity has gotten boat owners calling them -- nine requests by noon -- to make sure their vessels are out of any possible harm's way, ahead of the storm's arrival.

Waterfront restaurant Chelo's of Warwick has already moved some outdoor furniture indoors -- which is also usual for them at this time of year -- but they are also planning to put other furniture pieces outside in shrink-wrap.

The hurricane blasted across eastern Cuba Thursday morning, as a potent Category 2 storm, on its way to the Bahamas. At least two people died in the Caribbean due to storm activity -- including, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.