Hurricane Sandy is heading our way and is forecast to bring high wind and some heavy rain, especially to the southern half of the Adirondacks beginning this afternoon. Although summer camps are mostly buttoned-up and boats hauled for storage, year-round Adirondackers are preparing for power outages and the possibility for high water.

If history serves as a guide, this storm may change our landscape with downed trees, and maybe some new channels for rivers and streams, and a few landslides. Much of what happens depends on where the storm tracks and how long it remains overhead.  Here are a some of the best links to follow the storm as it rolls over the Adirondacks:

Local Alerts: The region is covered by two bureaus of the National Weather Service. Burlington covers most of the central and northern Adirondacks including Essex and Franklin counties. Albany cover the southern Adirondacks including Hamilton and Warren counties. The DOT reports major road closures.

Forecasts and Tracking: NOAA’s Sandy Situational Awareness Page has the latest storm tracks, wind and rain forecasts, satellite images, and more.

Monitoring Flooding: The USGS reports real time stream gauge information from many of the region’s rivers.

Protecting Home and Environment: DEC’s Sandy Storm Information Page includes information about preparing for the storm, avoiding environmental problems, and reporting and dealing with damage. Cornell Cooperative Extension has an outstanding disaster education online resource.

Adirondack Backcountry: The DEC is advising all backcountry users to stay out of the backcountry until after the storm has passed. Post-storm impacts on trails and other facilities can be found on the DEC’s trail information webpage.

Tracking Local Sandy News: North Country Public Radio has a regional Sandy Twitter Feed. The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have taken down their pay walls for the storm. The New York Times has a page of Live Updates. Google has launched a Sandy Crisis Map.