Preparations Made as Hurricane Irene Approaches

The first signs of Hurricane Irene's approach have begun at the Jersey Shore, as wind speed and surf height have begun a steady increase that is expected to top out late Sunday.

Across the Jersey Shore, residents and local officials alike have begun preparing for the severe weather and rough surf that are expected to accompany the storm's arrival.

In Bradley Beach, yellow warning flags flew on Thursday as Department of Public Works employees and lifeguards began preparations for the impending storm.

Beach Supervisor Dick Johnson oversaw backhoes as they removed storage boxes from along the beachfront. Lifeguards were tasked with pulling anchored swimming ropes from the ocean. Eventually, the lifeguard stands themselves will be removed as the entire area awaits the arrival of Irene.

Johnson expects that the heavier, unmanageable surf won't arrive until Saturday and advises anyone considering entering the water to think twice.

"Don't be foolish and try to go out in that," he said.

Johnson explained that lifeguards will be on duty as long as the weather permits them to do so.

"We'll be back here on Monday cleaning up and getting things put back together," he said.

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Long Branch residents are reportedly already starting to buy food and supplies as they prepare for the worst this weekend.

Fine Fare Head Cashier Jill Scataglia said "people are stocking up."

"It's like a snow scare," Scataglia said. 

She said the amount of people who have been coming to the store today has been "tremendous" but that store is well-stocked and is not running out essentials such as water and bread, as of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. 

At grocery stores in Wall Township, shoppers have been preparing for the coming  fallout from Hurricane Irene for days, managers said.

At the A&P Store on Route 35 and Warren Avenue, several pallets of bottled water sat outside early Thursday morning, waiting to be stocked into the steadily dwindling supply inside.

Some customers, however, could not wait that long and had already started to pluck packages from the pallets.

Manager Bill Rogers said supplies were running low on staples and “comfort foods’’ but said he expected shipments later Thursday, replenishing supplies. 

Jim Ireland, of Point Pleasant Beach, was among those with a cartful of bottled water Thursday morning.

“It’s not like it’s going to go to waste,’’ Ireland said. “We needed it anyway, but I’m buying extra, just in case.’’

Ireland, who said he lives four blocks from the beach, said he was preparing for the worst. He was considering moving his cars to places inland and was securing boats as well.

“This could be the worst we’ve seen in 40 years,’’ he said.

In addition to milk, eggs and other staples, Rogers said the store was selling chips, cakes and other “comfort foods.’’ He was also running low on batteries, but expected another shipment by afternoon.

“I think this is going to be a big one,’’ Rogers said.

At the ShopRite on Route 34 near Lakewood Road, milk and eggs were in short supply early Thursday morning as a bustle of people roamed the store with carts full of staples.

A manager at ShopRite declined to comment on the store’s preparations, referring questions to a corporate communications office.

Santina Stankevich, a ShopRite spokeswoman, said ShopRite stores – all of which are located throughout the Northeast – typically sell a lot of bread, eggs, milk and chicken leading up to major weather events.

Long Branch Office of Emergency Coordinator Stanley Dzuiba said the city is holding a public safety meeting today to discuss what action will be taken, and expected to know more later today. 

Should a countywide evacuation called, a different set of protocols will be put into place. The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management has yet to make such a determination, but did offer a number of tips for storm readiness.

The county's keys for readiness are as follows:

• Prepare –  Assemble a Kit of Emergency Supplies – Batteries, flashlight, radio, first-aid kit,  medications, food and water to last three or more days, can opener, cooking tools, toiletries.
• Create an Emergency Plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations.
• Stay Informed – Listen to local radio and television for the latest information on storms and other emergencies.  Review what warning sirens are used in your community to alert residents of major emergencies.

“Preparing for the worst makes dealing with it that much easier,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “The likelihood that you and your family will survive a nor’easter, hurricane or other emergency depends on the preparations that you make now.”

Arnone has also stressed financial readiness.

“To bring your readiness to the next level you should prepare your finances and consider making yourself available to help your neighbors in an emergency,” Arnone said.

The county advises: "Consider your insurance and financial needs in the event of a disaster. Also, take time to prepare a household inventory. If an evacuation is necessary, be sure to have cash or credit cards at your disposal."

Emergency personnel also provided a number of recommendations for emergency supply kits. The list of items to include is as follows:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers

Additional items to consider adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children