– Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, in conjunction the Office of Emergency Management , announced today that city officials have been meeting and are closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy , which has the potential to impact the entire East Coast beginning early Monday into Halloween.
Current forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate Hurricane Sandy, which will likely return to tropical storm status as it makes its way north, could bring more than 5 inches of rain wind gusts from 50 to 70 mph to our area.
“We are closely monitoring this storm and are working with representatives from all critical agencies, including area hospitals, to open lines of communication and are putting in place all of the necessary emergency preparedness plans,†said Mayor Healy. “While we continue to monitor this storm and the varying models and possible paths, we will keep our residents apprised of any and all necessary steps should an evacuation become necessary.â€
Mayor Healy noted that the city has updated its evacuation routes and has evacuation plans in place should evacuation become necessary. Additionally, valuable lessons have been learned from last year’s Hurricane Irene, in which mandatory evacuations were called for low-lying areas.”
Because this storm has the potential to impact Jersey City, we want to ensure that our residents know the proper places to go for information and to keep abreast of this ever-changing situation, †said Mayor Healy . “Like during Irene, our City website, Facebok page, Twitter account, and Channel One television station will be used as a means to communicate with residents. We will also continually reach out to the media to provide updates as we have them.”
Like last year, should an emergency evacuation become necessary, the Office of Emergency Management has established transportation to emergency shelters at set locations. Residents, however, should not wait until Sunday, however, to pack their belongings, but should rather put together an emergency bag that can be taken with them should they need to relocate.
Based on information from the State Office of Emergency Management, Jersey City OEM officialsexpect to make a determination by Sunday regarding mandatory evacuations. At that time, emergency officials will also notify residents if it intends to activate the emergency shelters. Notifications will be made via the city ’s emergency notification system (C-3), the City website, the City Channel One,
the City Facebook page, the City Twitter account, and other social media sites.
Residents who park their vehicles underground or in low-lying areas are being told to move their vehicles to higher ground in anticipation of the storm. Municipal parking lots will be available for parking beginning Sunday through Tuesday without meter enforcement. City emergency and public works vehicles will be staged at key locations throughout the city on Friday in advance of the storm.
Currently, city officials – who have been monitoring Hurricane Sandy closely – are asking residents to remove any items that could become projectiles as a result of high winds, including patio furniture, grills, construction equipment, and bicycles. Inspectors from the Building Department and the Engineering Division have been in contact with all construction sites to notify them to remove any construction materials from worksites and roadways.
OEM officials are encouraging residents to have a preparedness kit ready with batteries, water, flashlights, and charged cell phones, as well as any immediate supplies such as food, medicines, and important papers. Senior citizens and residents who take medications daily should fill their prescriptions now in advance of the storm.
The MUA, in conjunction with the JCIA, is currently clearing catch basis and sewers of debris to allow the water to go down during the storm. If there is a catch basin on your street that is covered with debris or garbage, please be a good neighbor and assist the city by clearing that catch basin.
Anyone who would like to report a clogged catch basin can call the MUA at (201) 432-1150. The MUA has also purchased several high capacity pumps to be located in strategic locations throughout the City to alleviate flooding should that occur.
The City has acquired 14,000 sandbags from the Army Corps of Engineers and will be distributing sandbags and sand from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at two locations – the Municipal Lot on Montgomery and Orchard Street and at PS #40 at Ocean and Gates Avenues. While there will be limited assistance available, residents will be asked to bring a shovel and fill their own bags if possible.
You may need to survive on your own after a severe emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency 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 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
EVACUATION ROUTES:
EAST DISTRICT
DIRECTION TO HEAD INTO
Montgomery Street        (West)
Christopher Columbus Drive (West)
Grand Street  (West)
14th Street  (West)
Philips Street   South
NJ Turnpike South West
Pacific Avenue -South
WEST DISTRICT
Summit Avenue                           North
Rt. 440Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â North
Kennedy Blvd                            North
Communipaw Ave                  West
Belmont Ave                            West
Sip Ave                                       West
NORTH DISTRICT
RT 1/9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â North
Kennedy Blvd           North
Palisade Ave           North
Manhattan Ave     West
Secaucus Road        West
Depressed Highway   West
SOUTH DISTRICT
Ocean Avenue              North
Garfield Avenue            North
Kennedy Blvd              North
Danforth Ave                North
Culver Ave                   West
Audubon Ave                West
Rt.169Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â South
Rt.185Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â South
(North)
(North)
(North)
(North)
(West)
(West)
(South)
(South)
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at
1-800-436-PSEG.
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
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. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
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
PETS & SHELTER ANIMALS
Liberty Humane Society (LHS) is already taking precautions to safe guard their animals. LHS will have staff at the shelter to monitor the situation. If needed, Jersey City Animal Control Division is prepared to accommodate their evacuation needs as well as any of our residents by using the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management Mobile Animal Rescue trailer. This trailer will be hooked up to an animal control vehicle and will remove any at risk animals to higher ground. If needed, *CART would be activated by the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management in the case of a large scale disaster in the county (terrorism, apartment building fire, hurricane, etc.).
Additionally, if shelters are activated, the city will be opening a shelter where residents with pets can go.
*The Hudson County Animal Response Team (CART) is an all-volunteer group working under the direction of the Office of Emergency Management and in cooperation with the American Red Cross to implement a disaster plan for Hudson County’s animals.
For Pet Owners in case they have to evacuate with their pet(s):
A quick pet checklist:
One crate or pet carrier large enough that your pet can stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. (Remember, this may be your pet’s home for many days.)
Medical records, veterinary contact information, and any medication your pet may need.
Current photos and description of your pets.
At least one week’s supply of food, water, and litter.
(Food should be stored in plastic, airtight containers.
A kitty litter scooper. Small, plastic bags for waste disposal, cleaning
A sturdy leash, collar/harness
A manual can-opener
Grooming items
Newspaper for cage lining, paper towels, and household bleach for cleaning
Pet toys and bedding to reduce stress
A kitty litter scooper
Contact these local groups for further information and assistance for animals:
Jersey City Animal Control 201-547-4888
The Liberty Humane Society 201 547-4147
Assistance for Hudson County Hudson County Animal League 201 200-1008
For more information on Hurricane Irene, please continue to visit the city website at
www.jerseycitynj.gov  and the city Facebook page.