Town officials are preparing for a nor’easter that is expected to bring mostly strong winds and rain to Hopkinton over the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, northeast winds around 17 mph should move in Friday afternoon, with rain starting early Saturday morning. Rain, patchy fog and wind should continue all weekend and into Monday night.

The NWS also issued a wind advisory that will remain in effect until Sunday morning. Wind speeds should range between 15-30 mph, with gusts reaching 40-50 mph. The agency warns that gusts could blow around unsecured objects and knock down tree limbs.

Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty, who also serves as the town’s emergency management director, said the primary concern for the incoming nor’easter is the winds. “We’re taking our normal wind storm operations,” he said.

Daugherty explained that hazards like flooding would not be a concern, as the town’s forecasting service predicts 1-2 inches of rain will fall over a 48-hour period. “The system should be able to handle that amount of rain,” he said.

The Hopkinton Fire Department will keep a normal shift over the weekend, according to Daugherty, and the Department of Public Works will have a five-person crew on standby. DPW director Kerry Reed confirmed in an email that the crew will be available from Friday afternoon through the weekend.

“Both the DPW and [HFD] are completing their usual storm preparations, including checking and preparing chainsaws, vehicles and other equipment,” Reed stated.

“At this point, we’re more worried about the wind and potential tree damage than the rain,” she added.

Daugherty recommended residents secure items outside their homes, including furniture and toys. He also suggested homeowners with generators make sure they are topped off in the event of power outages and for residents to make sure their flashlights are charged.

Through the duration of the storm, the town will remain in communication with representatives from Eversource to monitor power issues, Daugherty noted. Both he and Reed stressed that residents should contact Eversource and public safety officials about any downed lines.

Some town groups and organizations have adjusted events planned for the weekend in response to the inclement weather. The Friends of Whitehall tour of the Hopkinton Springs Hotel, which had been rescheduled to this Sunday due to rain last Sunday, now will take place Oct. 11. Hopkinton Youth Soccer posted cancellations to its Facebook page.