Police Chief Urges Voluntary Evacuation

The township is advocating a voluntary evacuation for those living in tidal zones, Police Chief William Nally said.

“I fully expect this township to suffer from serious affects from this hurricane…I urge those residents with low lying and waterfront property to consider voluntary evacuations from your home. I don’t expect any mandatory evacuations but depending on the tracking of the storm, of course that can change,” Nally said.

Hurricane Irene will probably be the worst storm in Nally’s 26 years with the township, he said. The storm will create flooding, power outages, downed wires and tree damage.

“Citizens should be prepared to help themselves. Start beginning these preparations if you haven’t already,” Nally said.

Nally participated in a statewide conference call today to discuss the hurricane with the State’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

They are expecting rainfall to begin Saturday evening and peak on Sunday afternoon with a total of six to 12 inches within a 24-hour period, he said. Oceanfront areas could see waves up to 12 to 15 feet high with an inland surge of six to 12 feet.

The Sunday morning tide will present the biggest problem with the ocean and bay possibly joining for a short period of time, Nally said.

The township’s emergency management team, consisting of all emergency services, the township administrator and Committeemen David Most and Sean Sharkey met this afternoon.

“I am confident that everyone is as prepared as possible to deal with the challenges ahead of us,” Nally said. “It’s an act of Mother Nature and we can only do as much as we can.”

Emergency services and Public Works will not be taking action during the storm, Nally said.

“Our intention is not to panic our community. It’s to inform them,” Most said. “Our whole mission is not going to be remediate initially. It’s going to be after the storm.”

Once the storm hits, the focus will be on emergency situations to avoid putting any volunteers at risk, Most said.

“We’ll do the best we can to get out to help you. Keep in mind as bad as it is, it’s hard to get out and help,” Deputy Mayor Mark Dykoff said.

Nally plans to utilize the reverse 911 system to keep residents informed and is working with the OEM to determine where shelters will be open and if one will be needed in Lacey Township.

Nally has been in contact with Superintendent Richard Starodub so the school district would be prepared to open the as a shelter. The and are also options, he said.

“Earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. I know this might be hard, but I’m asking everyone not to panic,” Sharkey said. “Lacey Township is very well prepared, very well coordinated for the events that are going to transpire during the next few days.”

For further advice from Nally, read ""

For tips on hurricane emergency preparedness visit the OEM website, the Red Cross website, or download the attached PDF. These resources provide checklists that explain what do before, during and after a hurricane.