Cities and towns preparing for Sandy

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island city and town officials are ready and waiting, and are focused Sunday on helping residents prepare for Sandy.

Cranston is among several cities handing out sandbags to residents in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy; Cranston residents can stop by the Cranston Department of Public Works Highway Department building at 935 Phenix Avenue between 7am and 3pm, Sunday and Monday, and the city will supply them with 10 sandbags.

A spokesman for Mayor Allan Fung also said the city's Emergency Operations Center will be up and running starting Sunday morning.

Cranston isn't the only city assisting residents ahead of the storm; East Providence residents can go to 60 Commercial Way and pick up sand and sandbags there, and starting at noon, New Bedford city workers will be making sandbags available until 4pm at 1105 Shawmut Avenue.

Most Rhode Island cities and towns have finished their own preparations for the storm and are watching the forecasts carefully.  Providence Emergency Management Agency Director Peter Gaynor told Eyewitness News that Providence is ready and waiting, although a decision has not yet been made on the closing of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier.  Providence will be making sand and sandbags available starting Monday at 8:30am.