Chief: Emergency Services And Public Works Are Prepared To Take Action

Now’s the time to leave, Chief William Nally said. The township is still encouraging residents to voluntarily evacuate if they live on low-lying property or on the waterfront.

“That would need to happen now before the conditions deteriorate further,” Nally said.

Nally has no plans on issuing a mandatory evacuation or opening a township shelter, he said.

The county is encouraging residents to use already opened and staffed shelters, which include the Brackman Middle School in Barnegat and Southern Regional High School in Stafford, Nally said.

Nally urges residents to remove any unsecured items outside while they still can and to stay indoors. The police department has received many calls with residents complaining that neighbors left items outside.

“I don’t think people understand the strength of the wind,” Nally said.

The winds will be strong enough to move cars, Nally said. Anything that is not secured by cement from potted plants to wooden tables should be stored inside. “They all become flying missiles.”

The police department is fully staffed and the fire stations have prepositioned men, he said. The Office of Emergency Management will be open this evening at headquarters.

EMS squads will also be on hand but are not supposed to be on the road if winds are over 50 mph.

The Public Works department is also prepared to go when the storm hits, although Nally said cleanup would happen after the storm passes.

“We’re all set up with everything,” Public Works Director Casey Parker said.

The department is prepared to reroute and has barricades, chainsaws, chippers, and loaders ready to go.

“Flooding is going to happen. There’s no way around the flooding,” he said.

The township is anticipating flooding due to the rain and tides, he said. Once Public Works is needed, they will start to mobilize and zone off areas.

“Depending on whatever situation arises, we’ll be ready to go,” Parker said.