Meteorologists say Hurricane Sandy is making its way towards the east coast. Towns and cities along the Hudson River are preparing for the worst.

The Hudson will be at high tide when the rain is expected to start Sunday night. With a full moon overhead, that could spell big trouble for the towns and cities on the waterfront.

Joel Mestre is coordinator for the office of emergency management in Hoboken. He’s watching the tides and crossing his fingers that the storm will make landfall sooner rather than later – but the forecast says otherwise.

“Normally hurricanes, from what we’re told, once they go through land, they start losing pressure and power. This one seems to be staying in the water and it’s coming right up our coast so it should come up with a pretty good punch.”

Mayors and emergency officials across North Jersey have been in the situation room today laying out plans and calling for volunteers. In places like Hoboken where even a little rain can mean flooding, officials say it’s better to be safe than sorry.