The City of Warren is battening down the hatches and officials recommend residents do the same.
"We're trying to be prepared for (Hurricane) Sandy in all of her manifestations," City Manager Nancy Freenock said on Monday.
Department heads and other officials are aware of the potential for high winds, rain, and cold temperatures associated with the storm.
"We're aware," City Fire Department Chief Sam Pascuzzi said. "We're preparing."
City workers have been notified that they may be called in to handle situations as they arise. "All departments have a normal call-out procedure," Police Chief Raymond Zydonik said.
It's the city workers' job to handle problems in the city, but they can't be everywhere at once.
"Individuals have some responsibility to look to their own needs," Pascuzzi said. "We want people to be prepared, but we don't want people to panic."
He recommends residents have enough food and water for three days, medications, and a flashlight with extra batteries. "It might not be a bad idea to fill your car up with gas," Pascuzzi said.
He does not recommend using candles for light, if possible. "People should remember all the normal precautions against fire," he said.
Generators give off carbon monoxide and should never be run inside of a home or in a structure connected to a home.
City officials are also encouraging people to stay home in the event of severe weather.
"If the weather is bad, stay in if you can," Zydonik said. "Avoid any unnecessary travel."
The Midtown Lot and the top level of the Clark Street Parking Garage will be open to the public to keep cars off of streets and out of the way of any emergency operations. Citizens are also encouraged to park their cars in driveways, rather than leaving them in the street.
Wet ground and high winds from an unusual direction - the southeast - could result in more trees down than from storm of similar intensity from the west or northwest, Assistant City Manager Mary Ann Nau said.
The city will use its website, television and radio to disseminate information in the event of emergency.
The all-hazards siren will sound to notify residents that important information is forthcoming.
"When you hear the city's all-hazards siren, tune in to the TV or radio," Pascuzzi said.
A battery- or crank-operated radio would allow residents to receive advisories and emergency information in the case of power outages.
City officials may also use the reverse-911 system to notify residents of important information.
The main concern is that the storm could last longer than typical strong weather.
"Being that this event might be unusual in terms of duration, we've done a little more planning than we normally do," Pascuzzi said.
The storm could impact Halloween.
City officials will decide Tuesday whether to postpone trick-or-treat hours - set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday - until the same time Saturday.