Gloucester County Officials Urge Preparedness for Hurricane Irene

With Hurricane Irene set to make landfall this weekend, Gloucester County officials are urging residents to prepare as much as they can ahead of the storm.

“We have just experienced a flash flood less than two weeks ago that totaled more than $3 million in public damage, so it is imperative we do what we can, while we can, to limit loss of property and keep everyone safe,” said Freeholder Joe Chila, liaison to the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management (GCOEM).

Chila said GCOEM is keeping abreast of the situation, with input from the state Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.

Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said even basic things like clearing gutters and securing outside furniture and trash cans can help, and said residents should heed the lessons of Tuesday’s earthquake in what to do in an emergency.

“Make sure your family has an emergency kit and plan in place,” Damminger said.

Chila said any residents with questions should contact GCOEM.

“There are well trained personnel to respond to answer questions and to help all systems return to normal or near normal after an event,” Chila said. 

The Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached at 307-7100.

Meanwhile, Gov. Chris Christie urged all residents and visitors to barrier islands in Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties and other shore areas to leave for safer locations.

Christie declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon, and called on people already at the shore to begin to leave immediately and advised anyone who has shore rentals or was planning to go to the shore this weekend not to go.

The governor asked people to leave voluntarily, and in order to support these coastal evacuations, is authorizing several measures that will make evacuation easier.

Tolls will be suspended on all parts of the Garden State Parkway south of the Raritan River and the Atlantic City Expressway beginning at 8 a.m. Friday morning.

Routes 47 and 347 in Cape May County will be reversed in the late afternoon, and will be closed to traffic bound for Cape May to use all lanes to move traffic out of that county beginning Friday evening at 6 p.m.

For further information about safety precautions and evacuation, visit ready.nj.gov.

Emergency supply kits should include:

• One gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days
• A three-day supply of nonperishable food, with can opener
• Fresh batteries for flashlights and radios
• A fully stocked first aid kit
• Tools to turn off utilities, if necessary

It’s also a good idea to fill your car’s gas tank ahead of the storm and fully charge all electronics, such as laptops and cell phones.