Residents, within the next hour we will begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

This storm will be unlike anything we have ever experienced in Washington. I hope that you have all done everything within your power to protect yourselves and families. The District has shut down for business; schools, offices, government agencies and Metro have all closed. It's imperative that you all stay off roads and seek shelter until this storm passes by. I encourage businesses in the Ward to close and allow workers to get home to their families. For those that haven't, please sign up for DC alerts(info below). My staff and the Mayors office will continue to provide updates as often as possible through listserves and our respective Twitter and Facebook accounts. I ask that we all work together to keep an eye on our senior residents. Once the storm hits, my Constituent Services Team will be out in the Ward assessing damages and reporting issues. Should you need to reach someone from my office please contact Jeannette Mobley 202-294-2638 cell 202-441-0200 alternative cell or Tim Clark 202-257-8318 cell 202-2776386 alternative cell.

In the event it is difficult for me to reach you in the next 24 hrs I want you all to know, we are in this together. No matter how big or small the damage, together we will work as a community to overcome this storm. Locate flashlights, Charge all phones & computers in preparation for the storm and possible power outages. The most effective way to report an outage or downed wire is to call Pepcos Call Center at 1-877PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662).

To have trees or debris removed and all other non-emergency issues, call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311.

1) Announcements from the Mayor's Office: http://www.dc.gov http://twitter.com/mayorvincegray (Mayor Vincent Gray) 2) PEPCO Storm Preparation Handbook http://www.pepco.com/_res/documents/PepcoStormPreparationHandbook.pdf 3) DC Gov't Text Alerts https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/index.php?CCheck=1 The Alert DC system provides rapid text notification and update information during a major crisis or emergency. This system delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates on a range of devices, including your smartphones.

4) Red Cross "Safe and Well" Registration http://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier. Register Yourself as Safe and Well Click on the List Myself as Safe and Well button to register yourself on the site. Search for Loved Ones Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as safe and well by clicking on the Search Registrants button. The results of a successful search will display a loved ones first name, last name and a brief message. 5) DC & Federal Twitter Accounts http://twitter.com/#!/DCPoliceDept(MPD/DC Police) http://www.FEMA.gov http://twitter.com/FEMA http://twitter.com/dcfireems (DC Fire & EMS) http://twitter.com/DDOTDC (DC Dept of Transportation) http://twitter.com/DCDPW (DC Dept of Public Works) http://twitter.com/DC_HSEMA (DC Homeland Security & Emergency Mgmt Agency) http://twitter.com/dcra (DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs) https://twitter.com/DHSgov (Federal Department of Homeland Security) http://twitter.com/FBIPressOffice (FBI Press Office) http://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept (US Dept of Justice) http://twitter.com/dcpolicefound(Washington DC Police Foundation) http://twitter.com/EleanorNorton(Member of U.S. Congress for DC- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton) https://twitter.com/councilofdc (DC Council) Best, Kenyan R. McDuffie Ward 5, Councilmember @CM_McDuffie