Emergency Preparedness
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Emergency Preparedness Information

Before an event even occurs, you should take steps to keep you and
your family safe in the event of an emergency.
Create a family
Emergency Operations Plan which identifies what type of hazards and
potential risks your jurisdiction faces and what you will take with
you and where you will go if you are asked to evacuate, etc.
Every home should also have a Disaster Supplies Kit at all times, which
should be portable, updated every six months, and contain the following:

A three-day supply of water (one gallon per day per person).

A list of family physicians

A list of medications and prescriptions, including dosage

The style and serial number of medical devices

A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food that does
not require cooking.

A non-electric can opener

A first aid kit

A battery powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries
Hurricanes
Hurricane Categories
|
Category |
Sustained Winds |
Damage |
1 |
74-95 mph |
Minor |
2 |
96-110 mph |
Moderate |
3 |
111-130 mph |
Major |
4 |
131-155 mph |
Severe |
5 |
above 155 mph |
Catastrophic |

In the event of an evacuation follow arrows
on signs posted around town.

Click On Map To Download Pdf Version

The Emergency Management office will be able to identify your
evacuation route that includes designated safe areas, areas to be
evacuated during a hurricane emergency, and safe evacuation routes
to shelter.
See evacuation map. See below
for shelter locations also.

Hurricanes can cause extensive flooding, not just along the
coastline, but far inland as well. Flood insurance is valuable financial
protection.

Your annual preparations for the hurricane season should include
checking to see that you have a supply of non-perishable food, drinking
water containers, waterproof matches, a lantern with fuel, a first
aid kit, fire extinguisher, a battery-powered radio, flashlights,
and extra batteries.
Advisories and warnings -
The National Weather Service can usually provide up to five days
of advance warning. The Weather Service of NOAA issues advisories when
hurricanes approach land.
A "hurricane watch" is issued
whenever a hurricane becomes a threat to coastal areas. If in the area,
listen for further advisories and be prepared to act promptly if a hurricane
warning or evacuation order is issued.
"A "hurricane
warning" is issued when hurricane winds of seventy-four miles an
hour or higher, or a combination of dangerously high water and very
rough seas, are expected in a specific coastal area within twenty-four
hours. Precautionary actions should begin immediately.
Before

Keep tuned to a local radio or television station for the latest
National Weather Service advisories as well as instructions from
local officials.

Check battery-powered equipment. Your battery-operated radio
could be your only source of information, and flashlights will be
needed if utility services are interrupted. Buy extra batteries.

Keep your car fueled should evacuation be necessary. Some service
stations may be closed or inoperable after the storm strikes.

Leave early from low-lying beach areas that may be swept by
high tides or storm waves, or mobile homes that are vulnerable to
overturning in strong winds.

Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles and cooking
utensils as your town's water system could be contaminated or
damaged by the storm. You should have a gallon of water per family
member for a minimum of three days.

Obtain a minimum of three days supply of prescription medications
and medical supplies.

Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters.

Secure outdoor objects that might become caught in the wind.

Moor your boat securely well before the storm arrives, or move
it to a designated safe area early. Do not stay on your boat or
you may drown.

Be alert for tornado watches and warnings as tornados are frequently
spawned by hurricanes. Should your area receive a tornado warning,
seek shelter immediately in an interior bathroom or small hallway,
preferably below ground level.
During

Remain indoors. Blowing debris can injure and kill. Travel is
dangerous.

Be especially wary of the "eye" of the hurricane.
If the storm center passes directly overhead, there will be a lull
in the wind lasting from a few minutes to half-an-hour or more.
At the other side of the "eye" the winds will increase
rapidly to hurricane force, and will come from the opposite direction.
After
If you are in a public shelter, remain there until those in
charge inform you that it’s safe to leave.
Keep tuned to your local radio or television station for advice
and instructions from local government about emergency medical,
food, housing, and other forms of assistance.
Stay out of disaster areas and do not use the telephone except
for rescue, serious injuries or emergencies.
Do not drive unless you must. Roads should be left clear for
emergency vehicles and debris filled streets are dangerous. Along
the coast, soil may be washed from beneath the pavement or bridge
supports, which could collapse under the weight of a car.
Avoid and report loose or dangling wires and broken sewer, gas
or water mains to the appropriate utility company.
Prevent fires by not using candles if at all possible.
Check buildings for possible collapse or weakened structure
before re-entry.
Hurricanes moving inland can cause severe flooding. Stay away
from riverbanks and streams until all potential flooding is past.
If power is off, check refrigerated food for spoilage. Do not
use tap or well water until you are sure that it is not contaminated.
Floods
Flooding causes more than ninety percent of the disaster related
property damage in the United States each year. Preparation is the
key to surviving a flood and reducing property damage.
Insurance:

Take inventory of all personal items including model types,
serial numbers, photographs, and descriptions. Place all important
documents in a water resistant and fire proof box

Most homeowner policies don’t cover flood damage. To determine
your risk, contact your local Emergency Management Coordinator.
Remember that there is a thirty-day waiting period before flood
insurance policy coverage goes into effect.

You may need National Flood Insurance Policy coverage even
if you do not reside in a high-risk flood zone. Check with your
insurance agent or broker.
Home :

Elevate your utilities a minimum of two to three feet above
the base flood elevation.

If you have a fuel tank, anchor it to a large concrete slab
whose weight can resist the force of floodwaters and flotation.

Install sewer backflow valves to prevent sewage entry into
your home.
Safety :

Obtain a battery powered weather radio.

Pay attention to the latest information when heavy rains
occur and to flash flood and river flood watches and warnings
issued by the National Weather Service.

Never drive your vehicle through floodwater. It may be deeper
than you realize and could trap you in your vehicle.
Power Outages
Whether a power outage in your home is caused by grid failure
or severe weather, you can take the following steps to prepare
and respond.
Before:

Keep extra cash on hand since an extended power outage
may prevent you from withdrawing money automated teller
machines or banks.

Keep a supply of non-perishable foods, medicine, baby
supplies and pet food as appropriate on hand. You should
have a water supply of one gallon of water per person per
day for a minimum of three days on hand as well.

Have one or more coolers for cold food storage, in case
the power is prolonged. Perishable foods should not be stored
for more than two hours above forty degrees Fahrenheit.

Have an emergency power supply for anyone dependent
upon medical equipment requiring electricity.

Keep a supply of flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered
radio on hand.

Keep your car fuel tank at least half full (gas stations
rely on electricity to power their pumps.)
During:

Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food should
be safe as long as the outage does not last for more than
four to six hours.

Do not use candles, as they can pose a fire hazard.

Connect only individual appliances to portable generators
and never plug a generator into wall outlets, as they can
feed electricity back into the power lines, putting you
and line workers in danger.

Use gas-powered generators in only well ventilated areas.

When driving, be careful at intersections as traffic
lights may be out.

Turn off any electrical equipment that was in use prior
to the power outage.

Turn off all but one light to alert you when power resumes.

Check on elderly neighbors, friends or relatives who
may need assistance.

Resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information
- that is what your battery powered radio is for.
After:

When power is restored, wait a few minutes before turning
on major appliances to help eliminate further problems caused
by a sharp increase in demand.
Winter Storm
Before:

Keep space heaters away from flammable materials and NEVER
leave them unattended.

Bring pets indoors.

When using supplemental heating sources such as fireplaces
or kerosene space heaters, make sure you have proper ventilation
and a carbon monoxide detector in place. Always take your space
heater outside to fill it.

Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace
the batteries every six months.

Move all vehicles inside the garage if possible. Never leave
a vehicle running with the garage doors down.

Insulate all exposed water pipes outside the home.
During:

Stay inside.

Close off unoccupied rooms in the home.

DO NOT use charcoal burning devices.

Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
Remove layers as needed to avoid overheating, perspiration and
subsequent chill.

Set the thermostat in your house no lower than fifty-five
degrees.

Allow a slow trickle of water to flow from both the hot and
cold water faucets, especially if the faucet is on an exterior
wall.

Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated
pipes and appliances near exterior walls.

Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and eat high caloric
foods.

Do not drive unless the roads have been cleared by
snowplows. If you need transportation for a critical medical
treatment or a critical prescription filled, call the Ocean
County Sheriff's Department, Office of Emergency Management at
(732) 341-3451 or toll free (800) 331-8152.
After:

Never try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame or torch.
Shut off water and call a licensed plumber.

Clear walkways and sidewalks to prevent injury, but avoid
overexertion.

Report damage, such as broken pipes and downed tree branches
or power lines to the utility company, if appropriate. Avoid the
area to prevent personal injury.

Do not drive unless the roads have been cleared by
snowplows. If you need transportation for a critical medical
treatment or a critical prescription filled, call the Ocean
County Sheriff's Department, Office of Emergency Management at
(732) 341-3451 or toll free (800) 331-8152.
Animal Emergency Preparedness and H.E.L.P.
Plan ahead
In the event of disasters, you need to take steps to not only protect
yourself but your pets and livestock as well.
Plan ahead of time
for a safe place to take your pets and livestock in the event of an
evacuation.
During an
evacuation, shelters run by the American Red Cross cannot accept animals
or pets, except for service animals who assist people with disabilities.
Find out whether friends, relatives, pet-friendly hotels, boarding
kennels or , or humane societies, stables or racetracks, or private
farms outside your immediate area can shelter your animals in the event
of a disaster. Also, make arrangements with trustworthy neighbors for
pet and livestock care if a disaster strikes and you cannot get home
in time to evacuate. This person should have access to your animals
and be familiar with them.
To determine the locations of established
pet shelters and/or pet friendly shelters, call your Municipality ahead
of time or listen for announcements. Some shelter managers try to provide
space for pets that are leashed and have their own portable carriers.
In case you must leave the area with your pet, you should also prepare
a disaster travel kit that includes:

Re-sealable plastic bag containing copies of Pet License, microchip,
tattoo and/or ID, photos of pet (from all angles and with owner(s),
proof of up to date vaccinations and name/phone of their veterinarian
(most boarding facilities and emergency animal shelters will

require
proof of current rabies and annual vaccinations).

Proper size metal or plastic pet carrier

Leashes and obedience aids

Non-spill water and food bowls

Pet foods, including special diets

Water in sanitized non-breakable containers

Special medications, with instructions

Special needs items for exotic pets, such as a heat source

Newspapers, paper towels, handy-wipes, can openers, a flashlight,
and blankets




Hurricane
Preparedness Flyer

Red Cross Hurricane Safety
Information
Check List

Family Disaster Plan

Food and Water in an Emergency
