East Brunswick Braces For Storm

Hurricane Irene is coming, and East Brunswick wants to be prepared.

According to the National Weather Service, Irene is a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale and could become a category four hurricane today (Thursday, Aug. 25.) The storm’s current path means that it could reach New Jersey by Sunday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a 50 percent chance of rain on Saturday, with a quarter and a half an inch possible. On Saturday night, more rain with a possible thunderstorm. Heavy rain is possible. 

On Sunday, the NWS is predicting possible tropical storm conditions possible, with rain and thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall and temperatures near 75 on Sunday, more tropical storm conditions and heavy rainfall.

East Brunswick Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Kosik has been working with township emergency crews all week on how to prepare for the effects of the hurricane.

“We’re prepared,” he said. “We do have an emergency operation plan. We’ve been tracking and really monitoring this storm since Sunday, and we have everything that we need in place to respond and react to the storm itself and the aftermath. We will be sending Global Connect messages to the residents on what the town’s actually doing.”

Kosik also said that residents should tune into EBTV (Comcast Channel 3, or Verizon FiOS 37 and 38) for updates on the storm. To sign up for Global Connect and receive phone updates on township emergencies, click here, Global Connect. 

Kosik said residents should make sure they have an up-to-date emergency plan, batteries, flashlights, and enough medication for those who need it and should check on elderly neighbors who may need help.

He also said catch basins should be cleared and lawn ornaments and other outdoor items should be secured or removed in anticipation of the storm. In addition, he asked that residents not inundate the 911 emergency lines for things that are not true emergencies. If a utility problem arises, then the best course of action is to call the utility company, the same thing for loss of telephone or other services.

“Don’t call us, we cannot help you if you lose power in your home,” he said.

Kosik said that should evacuations be needed, those affected would be notified as to which regional shelter they should go to.

“We started a regional sheltering concept with the county. We have regional shelters throughout the county that towns are assigned to go to. If it gets to that level, we would recommend first that residents go with family and friends. Secondly, we tell them to go to a hotel on they’re own. If they want to go to a public shelter, depending on which one is open, it would be either in Spotswood, Oldbridge and Woodbridge.”

He also said that with the amount of rain that has fallen on the area this year, flooding conditions have a greater chance to occur. In addition, tide water from the Raritan River also could pose a problem.

According to ready.nj.gov, supplying your home for a story or other disaster is pretty easy. Here’s what the site says. For more information on creating an emergency plan and other advice, visit www.nj.gov

ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME:

• Three days' supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat FOOD
• Three days' supply of WATER (a total of three gallons per family member)
• Battery-operated RADIO and extra batteries
• FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries
• One week's prescription MEDICATIONS
• FIRST AID KIT
• Personal TOILETRIES
• Non-electric CAN OPENER and UTENSILS
• SPECIAL NEEDS items:INFANT care items; items for ELDERLY family members; items for relatives with DISABILITIEs.
• CASH or TRAVELERS CHECKS
•  Store important DOCUMENTS in a waterproof, safe location

IN CASE YOU NEED TO EVACUATE:

• Keep your vehicle's gas level at a minimum of half-a-tank.
• Every family member must carry CONTACT INFORMATION:
• All phone numbers at work, school, etc. for every family member
• The name and number of a relative who lives out-of-state, to call in case your family gets separated.