Local Officials Prepare for Hurricane Irene

With the announcement on Thursday that Gov. Christie had declared a state of emergency in the face of Hurricane Irene this weekend, local officials are making preliminary plans for readiness during the storm.

According to Member Kevin Gonzalez at Wednesday’s council meeting, the department of public works is asking residents to refrain from placing brush to the curb over the next few days if possible. Gonzalez said the DPW is “trying to get everything up as quickly as possible” to prevent flooding issues and brush “floating down the street.”

of Eatontown announced at the same meeting that members of the borough’s office of emergency management would meet Friday morning to coordinate efforts “in the event we are seriously impacted by the hurricane.”   

According to the borough’s Web site, “Residents should begin preliminary precautions such as:

• removing or securing loose outdoor items,
• fueling automobiles,
• ensuring flashlights are working,
• and making sure sufficient food, water, medication, and first aid supplies are on hand.”

The Tinton Falls municipal Web site gave a hurricane update at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday that the office of emergency management planned to meet on Thursday night to coordinate borough efforts and had been in touch with state and county officiala.

The also advised residents planning to travel or relocate do so before Saturday, Aug. 27 for safety reasons. “Keep in mind it is safer to travel/relocate before the storm then during a storm,” the post advised.

A release from in Tinton Falls advised that staff members are monitoring existing and changing conditions and are advising residents of what to do to prepare for the hurricane:

• Encouraging residents to have working flashlights and fresh batteries in the event of power loss. Emergency power generators will continue to power the clubhouses, one elevator in each building, pull cords in apartments and emergency outlets in the hallways which are used for residents with medical needs.

• Asking that residents have bottled water, plenty of nonperishable packaged or canned food, rain gear, first aid kit, including all their medications, fully charged cell phone, all insurance & vital records, small amount of cash or traveler’s checks, extra pair of reading glasses an inventory of home possessions.

• We are working with local emergency personnel to make certain that the community remains safe and secure.

• Seabrook is ensuring that there will be ample staff on hand to provide continued quality levels of care for residents, including health care and dining services.

• We are providing accommodations for staff that may need to stay over during the storm.