5 Things for Oct. 29: Emergency Selectmen Meeting, National Grid Ready for Hurricane Sandy, Closings and More

Editor's note: Five Things You Need To Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. If you know of something happening in town that did not make our list, please add it in the comment section!

1. High Winds Near 60 mph and Heavy Rain Expected Monday in Foxborough

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for showers, mainly after 7 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog. High near 63. Windy, with a northeast wind 22 to 32 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Monday night: Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 2 a.m., then Patchy fog between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Low around 57. Breezy, with an east wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

2. National Weather Service Issues High Wind Warning

The National Weather Service is predicting damaging winds to sweep through the area Monday into Tuesday from Hurricane Sandy, according to the following advisory on its website:“Damaging winds likely across Southern New England Monday and Monday evening. Hurricane Sandy will track northward along the eastern seaboard into Monday morning, turning west and making landfall in central New Jersey late Monday. Widespread damaging winds and power outages are anticipated across all of Southern New England as the strong wind field of Sandy expands northward through Monday evening. The strongest and most damaging of which will occur Monday afternoon and evening, especially along the coast. High rise buildings along the coast, including Boston and Providence will be most susceptible to wind damage.High Wind Warning remains in effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday. The damaging winds are expected to result in “widespread power outages that could last for days,” according to the NWS. Damage to structures and homes resulting in debris are possible as are downed trees and power lines, which could result in roadways being blocked. A High wind warning is issued when sustained winds of 40 mph are expected for at least an hour with gusts of 58 mph or greater at any time. Winds in the Foxborough area are expected to be between 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

3. National Grid Says It’s Prepared for Hurricane Sandy

National Grid reportedly has been preparing for Hurricane Sandy since early last week and says preparations will continue around the clock, according to its website.

“We have been urging customers to take precautions and prepare for the potential for a major storm,” the utility’s website said. “This is now even more critical as weather forecasters are now saying that Sandy could be a storm of unprecedented magnitude. In fact, some forecasts anticipate that Sandy could affect more than 50 million people in the Eastern U.S., including our electricity and natural gas customers in New England, upstate New York, New York City, and on Long Island.

“We remind you to be prepared by having working flashlights, a battery operated radio and an extra set of batteries in your home. If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to only operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, be sure to disconnect from National Grids system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize crew and your safety.”

National Grid adds that customers should report all electric and gas outages immediately and not attempt to fix the interruption themselves. Outages can be reported at 1-800-465-1212 or at nationalgrid.com/hurricanesandy.

4. Board of Selectmen to Hold Emergency Meeting Monday Morning

The Foxborough Board of Selectmen will be holding an emergency meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Town Hall Monday. The meeting will be broadcast live on Foxboro Cable Access and online at its website. Foxborough Patch Jeremie Smith will be attending the meeting and will update Foxborough Patch with the most recent information as it becomes available.

Prior to the selectmen meeting, Foxborough Fire Chief Roger Hatfield will hold a pre-storm preparation meeting Monday morning with town of Foxborough department heads to provide the latest storm update from MEMA and to review general plans for emergencies with emphasis on power outages, senior and critical population care/evacuation and the status of generators, light sets, barricades and supplies/plans to open a shelter if necessary, according to Foxborough Town Manager Kevin Paicos.

5. Hurricane Sandy Closings

Foxborough schools have been cancelled Monday as a result of Hurricane Sandy as has events at Boyden Library, classes at Foxboro’s YMCA and business at Foxborough’s Town Hall. Click here for an updated list of closures, cancellations and other information.