Joaquin Strengthens, Morris Officials Elevate Hurricane Planning Efforts

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how one views it, the past few years of natural disasters in New Jersey have prepared the masses for the unexpected.

Officials are using that knowledge this first week of October, as Hurricane Joaquin bears down on the east coast.

The storm was given a category 3 designation early Thursday, and Morris County Office of Emergency Management officials fully expected the storm to be elevated to a category 4 before it reached the Garden State. By 2 p.m. Thursday, it was categorized as a level-4 storm.

“Joaquin will likely be upgraded to a Category 4 Hurricane as we move forward in the storm track process,” said Office of Emergency Management Director Jeff Paul. “Since we cannot wait for the final verdict, our preparedness planning processes remain in full motion. As we continue our planning efforts, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management has elevated our operational status within the Emergency Operations Center.”

Paul said the focus remains on Sunday night into Monday as the storm track continues to change and move north.

“Some of the storm models reviewed this morning suggest that Hurricane Joaquin will make landfall south of the state Sunday night and Monday while other tracks suggest an East Coast landfall or an out-to-sea solution,” Paul said. “The longer Joaquin remains in the Bahamas area, the greater the likelihood we could possibly see an out-to-see solution.”

Jersey Central Power & Light has activated storm plans and additional crews have already been mobilized to the area, Paul said, and call centers will be fully staffed. To report a power outage, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (544-4877).

The Office of Emergency Management offered the following tips during power outages:

• Keep flashlights and fresh batteries in your home. Avoid using candles to light your home, especially around children and pets.
• If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.
• Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
• Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune to a local station for current storm information.

Basic Preparedness Tips

• Fill vehicle fuel tanks and make sure you have cell phone car plug adapters to charge phones and portable devices in the event of extended power outages
• Fill spare gasoline containers in the event that you have a gas generator or other critical gas powered items
• Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
• Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
• If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
• Make a family emergency plan, including third party communications contacts and rendezvous points.
• Morris County Municipalities have the ability to utilize the Morris County Office of Emergency Management’s Everbridge communication platform. This system will be utilized in the event that critical information needs to be disseminated. In addition, many of our Morris County communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your municipality, check the municipal website.
• To sign up for the Morris County MCURGENT notification systems text “Follow @MCUrgent” to 40404, follow us on Twitter: @MCUrgent, or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/MCUrgent
• Preparing your Car
• Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit located in the trunk.
• Vehicle emergency supply kids should include:
• A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
• Jumper cables
• Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
• Compass
• First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
• Drinking water
• Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
• Car charger for your cell phone
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Rain poncho
• Additional items for cold weather include a snow brush, shovel, windshield washer fluid, warm clothing, cat litter for traction and blankets
• It’s also a good idea to keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone.

Preparing Your Home

• Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.· Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
• Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.
• Nonperishable food that does not require the use of a stove/oven etc
• Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
• Check operational status of generators. Old fuel should be changed to allow for efficient operation.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

• A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
• Have appropriate medications on hand
• Baby supplies
• Pet supplies
• 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
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger