New Jersey Shore Hurricane Irene Information Directory

  POLITICS 24/7 is receiving a number of questions regarding the circumstances in the many different municipalities. With over 645 of them, establishing precise and up to date information regarding each one of them is a task too big for one person. I will do my best to answer any questions there may be or direct individuals to the proper entities to contact for answers to their questions.

In the mean time I have compiled what should be a good start for getting information regarding Hurricane Irene that is specific to you and your location.

The very first site that I suggest you take a look at is Jersey Shore Hurricane News .   It is a Facebook page that is being run by a few concerned citizen.  Here you are asked to post information you become aware of, particularly if it is news peratining to conditions or orders made by local authorities.  But you will also find good information for yourself and may find answers to many of your own questions.

Public Service and Emergency Assistance Phone Numbers

3 digit dialing codes provide easy dialing for New Jersey consumers needing to reach various public services or obtain emergency assistance.

• N-1-1 (3 Digit Dialing Codes)
• 9-1-1 Emergency Services
• 2-1-1 For Community, Human Services and Emergency Management / Security Assistance
• 5-1-1 Traffic and Transportation Information

Municipal Web Sites

Below is a directory of  New Jersey municipalities in alphabetical order.   To find your municipality’s website, click on the letter which the municaplity begins with.  Then click on the name of that municipality.  These links may or may not be “official” pages for these towns. They contain some useful information about the municipality and its surrounding area and if those that are official sites, will provide you with warnings or at least the numbers of the proper authorities and management teams that can provide you with the information you need.

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    R    S    T    U    V    W

County Government Websites

Click on your county to be taken to their site

• Atlantic County  
• Bergen County
• Burlington Township
• Camden County
• Camden County
• Cumberland County
• Essex County
• Gloucester County
• Hudson County
• Hunterdon County
• Mercer County
• Middlesex County
• Monmouth County
• Morris Township
• Ocean County
• Passaic County
• Salem County
• Somerset County
• Sussex County
• Union County
• Warren County

TRACK THE WEATHER

Track color-coded maps with New Jersey’s real-time NWS weather forecasts, shore, tidal and river information:

• NWS Philly/Mount Holly Site
• NWS NYC/Upton Site
• Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

 Community Groups:

For Preparedness Info,
Call Your County OEM or 609-963-6964

Advice, Tips and Shelters Info

What to do NOW, before a Hurricane or Tropical Storm strikes

Basic StepsFor Preparedness

Find Out if You Are In A High-Risk Area

Know How You Will Evacuate Or Shelter-in-Place

What to do when a storm is APPROACHING

• Pay Attention To Weather Forecasts
• Listen For Official Instructions
• While You Are Waitingto Receive Official Instructions
• Evacuation Orders : Mandatory vs. Voluntary
• Pay Attention To Weather Forecasts

 The last thing I would like to advise people to do is not panic.  If you prepare your emergency kits and take all the precautions or heed all evacutation warnings now, rather than later, you will be fine.  Stressing out over the material things in your life, is not worth risking your life.  So err on the side of caution.

Jersey Shore Hurricane News Update

  The track of Hurricane Irene is still projected to place the New Jersey shore in or very near the eye of the storm.  Many experts are now preparing for the worst case scenario that there is with a storm like this.

Some of the latest developing information includes a mandatory evacuation in Cape May County, and Long Beach Island, and the Mayor of Asbury Park has urged al residents to evacuate to higher ground by Saturday afternoon.

As of the writing of this post, a mandatory evacuation order was put in to effect in Atlantic County effective tomorrow ( Friday) morning.

Visit the New Jersey Shore Hurricane Page for more information and updates and see previous POLITICS 24/7 posts for links to important information and maps involving Hurricane Irene.

New Jersey Residents Can Provide and Receive Valuable Hurricane Information on Facebook

   With no changes in the forecasted track of Hurricane Irene, New Jersey residents are urged here and also here.  In addition to those links there is now a Facebook page that provides valuable, up to date infortmation for New Jersey residents.  It is called the Jersey Shore Hurricane Page .

On it you will find information from other Jersey residents regarding such things as where there are gas shortages, ongoing storm preparations in local communities, storm tracking data and other such data.  You are also urged to provide any updates or information that you feel are pertinent.

This page is an excellent use of Facebook.  In a society where Facebook communications have become pervaisve, this is an example of just how much good Facebook can be used for.

Also 

Governor Christie Declares a State of Emergency in Advance of Hurricane Irene

   As of 1:00 pm, Governor Chris Christie wrapped up a half hour longe press in which he declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Irene.

In his presser the Governor stated that he understood how the people of New Jersey are “cynical and tough”.  He added “So amI.  I suspect that maybe that is why they elected me”.  But Christie warned that no one should be cynical about the warnings he was issuing nor should they think they are tougher than the potential of Irene.

Christie said that at the moment he issuing a voluntary evacuation warning to people in low lying areas of the state and in shore communities, especially those who are on  the state’s barrier islands.  He told residents that while the evacuatuin is now voluntary, the potential exists for him to make it a mandatory evacuation and asks residents to leave now, before such a mandatory order sends a hign volume of New Jerseyansd on to roads all at the same time and thereby creating traffic jams and delaying the evacuation process.

Christie also warned that this storm will impact the entire state, not just the coast and that with recent heavy rainfalls, all of the states rivers and streams are at risk of reaching catastrophic flooding levels due to an additional 6 to 12 inches of rainfall just from Irene alone.

Politics 24/7 urges all New Jersey residents to monitor the storm as closely as possible.  We also suggest that they take the following tips for their safety.

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur in your area. These events can range from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like an earthquake or flood.

• Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels.
• Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.
• Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or have moved recently. For example, if you travel to a place where earthquakes are common and you are not familiar with them, make sure you know what to do to protect yourself should one occur.
• When a major disaster occurs, your community can change in an instant. Loved ones may be hurt and emergency response is likely to be delayed. Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). This training is useful in many emergency situations.
• Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed.

Emergency Contact Cards for All Household Members
Get your cards online at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/ECCard.pdf.

• Print one card for each family member.
• Write the contact information for each household member, such as work, school and cell phone numbers.
• Fold the card so it fits in your pocket, wallet or purse.
• Carry the card with you so it is available in the event of a disaster or other emergency.

Residents are also advised to begin preparing emergency or disaster kits that consist of the following:

 1Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

1Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils 1Blankets / Pillows, etc.

1Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

1First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs1Special Items – for babies and the elderly1Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes1Flashlight / Batteries

1Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio1Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

1Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

1Keys

1Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

1Tools – keep a set with you during the storm1Vehicle fuel tanks filled

1Toys, Books and Games

1Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

For more information click on the image link below:

 

 

Congressman Scott Garrett Asks New Jersey Residents to Prepare for Hurrican Irene

       With the potential for Hurricane Irene to affect the  Tri-State area in one form or another, POLITICS 24/7 asks all New Jersey residents, especially those who live along  the state’s coast, to heed the advice of Congressman Garrett whose message to his constituents is shown below this post.

  The latest models have Hurricane Irene beginning to effect our region late Saturday, but on Sunday, they expect us to be experiencing the worst of it, which weather experts are describing as “some of the worst weather many in our area have ever seen.”  Of course it is possible for the storm to change course and lose some of its strength, but that is not how it looks now.  No matter what , some effects will be felt and it is best to hope for the best but expect and prepare for the worst.  This precaution should be especially heeded by those living along the Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut Coasts.  Those who live along these areas will be  particularly vulnerable to what is responsible for most hurricane related deaths………the tidal surge that is swept inland by the hurricane’s winds. 

The larger the winds, the higher the surge and Irene can be anywhere from a Category 1 to Category 3 hurricane as it approaches us.  This means you must at the very least take the precautions that Congressman Garrett suggests in the letter you will find below the following tracking map. 

This map is the most recent projected path of Irene as of  11:00 pm, Wednesday.  The cone of possibility that is shown in the track of the storm demonstrates that there exists a chance for Irene to wobble further East or West of the center path.  The further East it moves, the less effects we will see.   The further West it wobbles means that we are in for the worst that the storm has to offer.  Right now, indications are that we could experience winds anywhere between 70 to 90 mph or more. 

Preparing for Hurricane Irene

With Hurricane Irene tracking towards New Jersey this weekend, I wanted to make sure residents of the 5th District were prepared for the storm.

 If you haven’t already, I encourage you to visit the American Red Cross’s website to review the precautionary steps you should be taking ahead of the storm. While we may not face the brunt of the storm, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for the worst.

After all, preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane as powerful as Irene, which may bring flooding, tornadoes and high winds to North Jersey.

I encourage all 5th District residents to take three quick steps to prepare for Irene:

1.  Build a kit;
2.  Make a plan; 
3.  Be informed. 

In addition, please review the Red Cross’s Hurricane Safety Checklist.

If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to contact one of my district offices for assistance.

Sincerely,

 

 

Scott Garrett

 

 

Washington, DC 2244 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4465 Fax: (202) 225-9048 Eastern District Office 266 Harristown Rd, Suite 104 Glen Rock, NJ 07452 Phone: (201) 444-5454 Fax: (201) 444-5488 Western District Office 83 Spring Street, Suite 302A Newton, NJ 07860 Phone: (973) 300-2000 Fax: (973) 300-1051

CONNECT WITH SCOTT GARRETT