Things you SHOULD BE DOING NOW - Hurricane Preparation

Well, my friends, it's looking like the storm could very well be a bad one, and so now is the time to prepare. Hey, it's better to be safe than sorry! Anyway, the Disaster Supply Kit list is from the National Hurricane Center; the notes in red are mine.  Plus, I highlighted the things I think are most important.

JOB ONE:  Clean up your yard!  Everything outside that can blow around should be put AWAY somewhere.  
Am I boarding up my windows?  No.  Should I be?  I'm not sure.  My husband and I figure that the biggest problem will be the stuff that could blow around, and if we have that stuff put away, we're hoping it will be fine. 

JOB TWO:  GATHER WHAT YOU NEED!

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days You don't have to BUY it, if you have old milk jugs or soda bottles in the recycling, wash them out really well and then run the water in them.  I'm freezing some too, just to help keep my food cold.
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices Not milk and eggs though
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods Best food ever?  POP TARTS! and Peanut butter and jelly
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel -- Maybe propane or charcoal for your grill?
— paper plates / plastic utensils Washing dishes is harder if the water isn't working!
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly - YOU know best what you need
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries Not candles, you don't want to burn your house down!

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set Charge your cell phone right now, and keep it charged as long as you have electricity!
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games - Not movies and video games, no power, remember?

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm I'm gonna mainly have one multi-purpose tool, some duct tape, and I'm going to make sure we have blades for our chain saw and some gas to put in it
Vehicle fuel tanks filled FILL YOUR GAS TANK NOW!  Gas prices are only going to go up from this, and if the gas stations lose power, they can't pump gas.

Pet care items - Just like the baby care items, you know what you need
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

JOB THREE:  LEAVE if you are told to evacuate, and convince your friends and family to do the same!  If you aren't sure where to go, email me and I'll help you figure it out.  NO ONE should risk the lives of emergency workers just because they are stubborn.
Bring the things from your disaster kit - this is where the blankets and things are needed.

Hopefully, the whole thing blows over and we're all left laughing about it and making fun of the weather channel next week.  That is way better than the alternative!

THIS JUST IN: a press release from Town Hall

WOODBRIDGE POSTS REVISED STORM ALERT FOR SAT., AUG. 27 THRU SUN., AUG. 28

 

WOODBRIDGE – Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that the National Weather Service Hurricane Center has posted a Hurricane Watch for the Woodbridge area for Sat., Aug. 27 thru Sun.,. Aug 28.  A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are expected within the watch area.  The National Weather Service predicts sustained winds, rainfall of 8 to12 inches, and above normal tides may potentially impact the Woodbridge area from 2:00 P.M. on Sat., Aug. 27 through Sunday PM (Aug. 28).

 

The Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring storm conditions.  Woodbridge Township residents and business-owners in flood-prone areas are reminded to move vehicles to higher ground and to be prepared to undertake emergency procedures should the Office of Emergency Management issue specific storm-related warnings.  Residents are encouraged to develop a storm plan in the event of an evacuation notice and to stock-up on non-perishable foods, bottled water, batteries, and a battery-operated radio.  

 

Residents and business-owners in the flood-prone areas of Crampton Avenue, Watson Avenue, Heidelberg Avenue, Vesper Avenue, Pearl Avenue, and Von Vetchen Avenue in Woodbridge proper and residents in the Ideal Home Park and surrounding areas in Avenel (East Coddington St., St. Mary Way, Jay St., Freddie Alison Drive, Joey Lane, Jessie Lane, Christina Drive, Helen Ave. and Coke Ave.) are reminded to move vehicles to higher ground and to be prepared to undertake emergency procedures should the Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management issue specific storm-related warnings. 

 

The Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management, the Woodbridge Police Department, and the Department of Public Works will continue to monitor local storm conditions and are positioned to implement appropriate public safety alerts and operations should the storm result in flooding of low-lying areas.  Should evacuation of flood-prone areas become necessary, residents will be notified via Reverse 9-1-1 or door-to-door notification.   A shelter location will be established at the Woodbridge Community Center ( Main Street , Woodbridge ) and other locations should the need arise.  The shelter centers will open in the event of mandatory evacuation.  No evacuation has been issued at this time.

 

All Woodbridge Township personnel are on stand-by status.  The Department of Public Works will be stationed at key areas throughout the Township to maintain highways and clear debris during and after the storm.  The WPD and the Office of Emergency Management are fully staffed and will be on-duty throughout the storm.  The Office of Emergency Management has established communications with the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management and Township utility and service agencies, including PSEG, NJNG, Middlesex Water Co., MCUA, RVSA, and critical public service agencies. All Woodbridge Township fire departments, ambulance services, Community Emergency Response Team, and Auxiliary police officers are on alert status and are available to respond to any emergency situation anywhere in the Township.

 

Woodbridge Township residents should tune to local TV news and weather reports, TV-35, or log-on to the Township Web Page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for specific storm-related announcements.  For updated storm and weather-related information, go to the Woodbridge Township web page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us or the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management web page at: http://www.ready.nj.gov/plan/kit-plan.html.