Morristown Preps Residents for Hurricane Season

Gov. Chris Christie recently and he's making a pit stop for a political rally in Morris Plains this Saturday. No doubt he'll be discussing how to prepare this State for future hurricanes and super storms. 

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 26 through June 1 and Morristown Office of Emergency Management said that "the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ NOAA predicts active 2013 hurricane season." Morristown OEM is also asking residents to "prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which officially starts this Saturday, June 1 and lasts until November 30."

Morristown OEM released a list of handy links and tips:

• www.townofmorristown.org
• Nixle: Online registration is also available at: www.nixle.com.
• Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/MorristownOEM
• Radio- WJSV 90.5 FM broadcasting from Morristown High School (During disasters)
• Disaster Hotline: 973-796-1911
• Follow them on Twitter- @MorristownOEM
• National Weather Service - http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/
• National Hurricane Center - http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
• NJ 2-1-1 - NJ Residents can dial 2-1-1, toll-free, for preparedness and
• disaster-related info 24/7 or www.nj211.org
• American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/
• Text HURRICANE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive hurricane safety tips directly to your cell phone (standard message and data rates apply). See the full list of safety tips you can signup for.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency – www.ready.gov

Make a Plan:

The following safety information is from the New Jersey OEM Hurricane Survival Guide, which is also attached to this Patch article.  

• Get together with your family and create a communications plan ahead of time. This will help you and your family to connect as quickly and easily as possible after the storm.
• Keep a written record of all important phone numbers.
• Designate an individual outside of the state to serve as a family point of contact. (After a disaster it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area.)
• Make sure that all family members know who this person is and how to contact them.
• After a disaster or evacuation, all family members should make contact with the designated individual. Try choosing a certain time for everyone to meet.

Build a Hurricane Kit

Use these suggestions as a guide for gathering your hurricane supplies. Remember these critical points:

• Stock a 2 week supply of these emergency necessities.
• Store clean-up and repair supplies in a safe place.
• Make your hurricane kit portable in case you need to evacuate.
• Don’t forget special supplies for babies, the elderly, and those with access or functional needs.
• Review homeowner’s or renter’s insurance plan as it relates to natural disasters.

The Basics

• Alarm clock (battery operated)
• Battery or crank-operated radio/TV
• NOAA All-Hazards radio
• Flashlights (one per person)
• Batteries for radio/flashlights to last several days
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit & manual
• Cash, credit cards
• Driver’s license
• Cellular phones & chargers
• Important phone numbers
• Prescriptions, including eyeglasses
• Water, 1 gallon per person per day
• Water purification tablets
• Coolers for food & water
• Canned & dried food
• Non-electric can opener
• Pots & pans
• Eating & cooking utensils
• Emergency cooking facilities (grill/camp stove)
• Gas for the grill
• Cans, gas & oil
• Butane lighter
• Work boots/shoes
• Change of clothes
• Sleeping bags, sheets & towels
• Blankets & pillows
• Bleach without scents/additives (in a secure, well-marked container)
• Soap, shampoo & toiletries
• Sponges/paper towels
• Toilet paper & towelettes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby food, diapers & formula
• Toys (to occupy children)
• Pet food