Sandy on their minds

REALLY TAKING OFF: The wind added an extra boost to the flying tennis ball Monday morning as Paul DiChicco exercised his dog Max at Conimicut Point before retreating indoors to wait out the storm.

WHAT BLUE SKY? The staff at Pleasure Marina on Warwick Cove started hauling boats Friday and kept the pace through Sunday as the winds sweeping in Hurricane Sandy picked up.

WHAT STREET? Coldwell Street in Conimicut was transformed into a river Monday morning. Area residents didn’t need to evacuate, although they were left to wonder whether they would be as fortunate later in the day.

Powerwashing the hull of a boat fresh from the cove is Ken Sullivan. Signaling directions to his father who was operating the travel lift is Joe DiCenzo Jr.

HOW MUCH HIGHER? The rising waters of Mill Cove made for pictures Monday morning at 8. The big question was, would the waters be even higher that evening when the full brunt of Sandy was expected to hit?

READY AND WAITING: Like an army waiting for battle, equipment prepared to cope with down trees and branches assembled at the Ann and Hope parking lot Sunday.

FIRST 2,000 BAGS: Sandbags were distributed from the Department of Public Works yard starting Sunday at 1 p.m., and within the first hour more than 100 had been picked up. Here, looking on as forklift driver Bob Craig delivers another pallet is Scott Small.