Brick Officials Watching Irma, Urge Residents To Take Precautions Early

BRICK, NJ — As Hurricane Irma continues to leave a path of destruction in the Caribbean and churn toward Florida, Brick Township officials are keeping a close eye on the storm and reminding residents about hurricane preparedness.

Forecasters say it is still too early to predict what effect Irma might have on New Jersey. But that doesn't mean it's too early to take some preliminary precautions, said Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio.

"Living in a shore town we all need to be aware of the potential for severe weather and the possibility of flooding," Riccio said Thursday. "Residents also shouldn’t wait until the last minute to buy and stock items such as batteries, water, gas and other nonperishable food items. Buy and stock those items now when they are available and not in demand."

As a rule of thumb, enough nonperishable food and water for at least 72 hours should be in reserve, authorities said. Recommendations on the federally maintained website Ready.gov recommend at least one gallon of water per person per day.

Here are some other suggestions on hurricane preparation from Ready.gov:

• Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
• Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
• Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate.

"We are continuing to monitor the storm and its projected path," said Riccio, who as police chief serves as the township's emergency management coordinator. "We will keep the residents informed through social media and Nixle as information becomes available. Residents should also keep watching the news outlets for updates on the storm track."

The township's boats, high-water vehicles and other equipment are ready if the town needs to deploy them, he said.

Photo by Jana Baldwin for FEMA.gov