MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS URGING RESIDENTS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS IN PREPARATION FOR STORM
Monmouth County: The threat of Hurricane Joaquin travelling up the east coast in the days ahead has the potential to cause severe weather in Monmouth County. It’s still too early to determine how much of an impact Joaquin can or will have at the jersey shore. However, Sheriff Shaun Golden, whose agency runs the Office of Emergency Management, says it’s never too early to take precautions and have a family disaster plan.
“Preparing, planning and staying informed makes dealing with weather related events that may affect Monmouth County, much easier,” said Sheriff Golden. “Now is the time to take basic steps and plan what you will do if power goes out for an extended period of time, if you need to evacuate or if school is closed.”
People who live in flood prone areas are particularly being urged to stay aware and plan, before a potential storm strikes. Those residents are usually affected by heavy rains and have the highest risk for flooding.
Steps that all residents can take are:
Plan & Prepare
- All residents should have a family disaster plan ready. Know where you will be evacuating to, and plan ahead to stay with family and friends or lodging outside the area. Be sure to provide shelter for your pets and notify friends and family of your plans.
- Bring all outdoor items such as garbage cans, lawn furniture and other items inside prior to the storm.
- Remove debris and keep trees trimmed.
- Inspect outside drains to make sure they are free of clogging.
- Secure and board up windows in your home.
- Cars and boats should be moved to higher ground before exiting your home.
- Store valuables and important documents in a waterproof safety deposit box in the highest level of your home.
- Make sure generators are in working condition.
- Before evacuating, check with your utility company in advance to find out what should be turned off.
- Make sure your car has a full tank of gas, cells phones are fully charged, prescription medications are filled and have enough money, clothes, blankets, diapers, formula and personal items to get you through several days.
- Prior to leaving, unplug appliances, lock your home and do not return until the area is deemed safe.
“The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is working to ensure that our staff is fully prepared to respond effectively should the storm impact Monmouth County. In an effort to ensure public safety, we ask that residents do the same,” said Sheriff Golden.
News Release MCSO asks Residents to Plan Prepare and Stay Informed