Hurricane Irene: Hillsborough OEM Urges Preparation for Storm Conditions

With a hurricane warning in effect for most of the state, Hillsborough Township is urging residents to be calm, informed and prepared for the heavy rains, flooding, impassable roads, and other conditions.

In addition, officials recommend residents in flood-prone areas prepare to evacuate in advance of the storm. Since power outages, flooded roads and dangerous conditions may make it impossible for rescue operations to reach stranded residents.

 Residents living near Dukes Parkway East have already been informed about the potential flood area there, and have been notified to prepare to evacuate prior to flooding. In addition, the township recommends residents make provisions for their pets.

An emergency evacuation shelter will be established in the Municipal Building for residents who need to leave their homes.

The Township’s Office of Emergency Management will open its command center at 6 p.m. Saturday, in advance of the storm. The Police Department, Fire Companies, Rescue Squad, Department of Public Works, Social Service and Health Department are also preparing to assist residents during and after the storm.

The Office of Emergency Management recommends residents have three days of food, water and other supplies, even if they live in an area that doesn’t flood. Basic services, including electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off, the office added.

In addition, the office reminds residents that “911” is reserved for Emergencies Only.  For non-emergencies, please dial 369-4323 extension 0.

The Office of Emergency Management offers the following safety advice:

General Safety Precautions

• Keep away from downed power lines.
• Use caution when using candles and DO NOT leave unattended.
• Do not enter flood waters.

Generator Safety

• Keep generators outside of your home.  Do not use the generator in the garage.
• Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.

• Refuel generators carefully.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators.
• Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load.
• Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
• Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.

Fire Safety

• Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged, this includes cable TV feeds.
• Be aware of and avoid downed utility lines. Report downed or damaged power lines to the utility company or emergency services.
• Be careful when using candles. Keep the flame away from combustible objects and out of the reach of children.  DO NOT leave unattended.
• Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home's electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas.

Emergency Kits

In an effort to be prepared, below are suggestions for a basic supply kit:

• 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.
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
• Local maps.
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger.

In addition to the items above, preparing a “Go Kit”, should you need to evacuate your home is also recommended.  Suggested items to include in a “Go Kit” are:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet.
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from. www.ready.gov.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Track the Storm

Your smartphone could be your most valuable tool during or after a hurricane, with dozens of apps available to provide crucial information.

Here's a list of some of the available apps. Hurricane HD: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch. $3.99

Hurricane HD lets you track storms, with moving radar and satellite imagery from the National Hurricane center. It provides tropical bulletins, forecasts, and advisories for the Atlantic and Pacific Basins.

You can watch video updates for storms currently underway or forming, and find data on major storms of the past, such as hurricanes Andrew, Hugo and Katrina.

The Weather Channel: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, Android. Free

The Weather Channel has fully customizable weather maps, animated radar maps, detailed weather conditions and forecasts, severe weather alerts, and a notification bar with the current temperature and severe weather alert indicator.

It allows you to get weather forecasts for your location or search by city, ZIP code, street address or landmark. The app also includes interactive maps that are fully customizable and feature the functionality of Google Maps. Customers can decide to display layers such as radar, clouds, UV index, rainfall and more.

Global Alert Network: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android BlackBerry. Free

The Global Alert Network delivers hands-free national traffic and weather alerts. See iTunes for Apple devices, or go to BlackBerry for a download.

The Global Alert Network is a location-aware network platform that automatically broadcasts audible hands-free alerts to mobile devices. You choose to subscribe to weather or traffic alerts, which are geo-targeted to your location.

Nixle is a valuable and convenient notification program, where residents can be advised via text messages to phones or through emails or both, about traffic problems and other alerts in the Township.

To Register For Nixle
Go to www.nixle.com

Click "Register Now"

Create an account by choosing a UserName and Password

Enter an e-mail address and cell phone number where you would like to receive messages

Enter your address (or a nearby intersection)

Click "Sign Me Up" – and you’re done!