UPDATE: West Long Branch Police Also Asking For Voluntary Evacuation

West Long Branch Police are asking residents to voluntarily evacuate the borough before Hurricane Irene reaches the area on Saturday.

The following announcement has been posted on the borough police web site.

If  you are a visitor to the New Jersey Shore, make other arrangements over the next 24 hours to move outside the County.  If you know someone planning to visit Monmouth County, please tell them NOT to do so.  All Monmouth County residents living along the coast and flood prone areas* should prepare to relocate outside the area with family and friends.  VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS are strongly encouraged at this time.

Please do NOT call the Police unless you have an emergency.  Make every effort to get your public information via media.  Web site updates will be made as much as possible.

Monmouth County flood plains and coastal evacuation routes have also been posted on the borough web site.

West Long Branch Police Captain Lawrence Mihlon said, "Anyone who either lives near a body of water or in an area that frequently floods is asked to voluntarily evacuate to areas west before 12 noon tomorrow."

Capt. Mihlon said the police will be running a Joint Emergency Operations Center with Oceanport officials from the West Long Branch Police Department on Broadway, beginning Saturday evening.

"Officials from all branches of emergency service and representatives of the administrative offices will be on hand as well," Capt. Mihlon said.

Capt. Mihlon said the police web site and Facebook page will be updated throughout the weekend.