Storm updates: UPJ, Inclined Plane closing

Discussion

October 29, 2012

Storm updates: UPJ, Inclined Plane closing

Inclined Plane will close at noon

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat The Tribune-Democrat Mon Oct 29, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT

JOHNSTOWN — Due to the threat of severe weather the Inclined Plane will be closing at noon today. The Inclined Plane will also be closed all day tomorrow. Normal hours of operation will resume Wednesday morning at 11.

Officials at the Inclined Plane encourage people planning to visit the Inclined Plane to check their website, Facebook page or call the Inclined Plane before visiting to be sure that the Inclined Plane is operating.

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Due to the predicted impact of Hurricane Sandy, Pitt-Johnstown will close at 3 p.m. today and will remain closed on Tuesday, a press release from the school said.

Residence halls will remain open, and food services will continue to maintain operations. Designated emergency personnel will be available, the release said. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements should follow the terms of that agreement and will receive direction from their supervisor.

Additional information and updates will be posted on www.pitt-johnstown.pitt.edu. The emergency hotline number is 269-7199.

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A National Disaster Distress Helpline will provide 24/7 access to crisis counselors and support for Pennsylvanians experiencing emotional distress in relation to Hurricane Sandy.

“The helpline is a national hotline answered by a network of crisis call centers across the U.S., providing phone- and text-based support to people experiencing emotional distress before, during and after disasters,” Secretary of Public Welfare Gary D. Alexander said. “Counselors will be available to Pennsylvanians who are experiencing emotional distress related to Hurricane Sandy.”

Distress symptoms can manifest as anxiety, stress, confusion, isolation and fear. For persons impacted by previous catastrophic events in their lives, new events can trigger troubling memories of prior experiences.

The Disaster Distress Helpline number is toll-free at 1-800-985-5990 or text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746.

The Disaster Distress Helpline, a program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is the first national multi-lingual helpline dedicated to providing crisis counseling and support to those struggling emotionally before, during or after disasters.

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Central Cambria School District will dismiss early due to deteriorating weather conditions.

School buses will take high school students home first, starting at noon.

Elementary students will be dismissed as buses return.

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Richard Unger, Greater Johnstown School Board president and Gerald Zahorchak, superintendent, have announced that the school district will make its facilities available to all residents if the need should arise as determined by, in a cooperative effort with, the Cambria County Emergency Management Team.

The men said in a statement that school district will work closely with the the team to monitor the needs of our residents during the State of Emergency.

"Our facilities are owned by the public and will always be available in times of need now and any time in the future," the statement said.

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