9/11 Memorial Closed Through Tuesday, World Trade Center Construction Secured Ahead Of Hurricane Sandy's Impact
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - In advance of Hurricane Sandy's impact, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum has announced it will be closed through Tuesday.
Measures have also been taken to help protect the site from the impending flooding, the organization said Monday afternoon.
The reflecting pools have been drained in advance of the storm, according to the organization.
The World Trade Center site is within Zone A, which was ordered to be evacuated on Sunday.
Storm preps were done in conjunction with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the site.
Some of the flood preps in place include placing mobile pumps in areas of potential flooding, including spaces in the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which is still under construction.
In response to high winds, structures such as tents have been reinforced, rooftops have been checked and loose items have been secured, according to a news release.
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Rainwater harvest tanks were installed as a green initiative when the memorial was being build. The tanks have been drained and any water collected will be used to care for the trees, grass and other plant life.
The drainage systems are all being monitored and additional staff is on standby to respond safely to potential flooding, according to the 9/11 Memorial.
Additionally, construction at the World Trade Center has also be secured before Sandy hits, according to the Port Authority.
Thousands of sandbags have been placed at the site to protect sensitive equipment from flooding. The site is using 30 permanent water pumps and nearly 100 temporary pumps in the effort.
More than 100 civilian employees are working around the clock to keep water off the site, the Port Authority announced.
Earlier precautionary measures included securing all construction materials and equipment, including the cranes located on Towers 1 and 4.
On One World Trade Center, the floors higher than the 88th floor are currently surrounded only by netting so crews removed or tied down any and all debris that could become airborne during intervals of strong wind gusts, officials announced.
The Port Authority also announced that all pumping equipment and electric generators have been tested and are working correctly, with backup plans in place.
The site is equipped with redundant power and additional backup generators have been placed on site. Provisions have been put in place to ensure there is no water infiltration during the storm.
Alarms are in place to alert maintenance and construction staff the moment moisture seeps into electrical areas.
