Manchester Residents Urged To Monitor, Prepare For Joachin

As forecasters continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Joaquin, emergency management officials from Manchester and Ocean County are urging residents to take steps to prepare for the storm.

Joaquin is expected to have a significant impact on the area from rain, with as much as 5 inches expected to fall in part because of a nor’easter expected to move through the area Thursday into Friday. Though Manchester is not directly threatened by the coastal flood watch that goes into effect beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday and continuing through Saturday afternoon, the possibility of heavy rain could lead to street flooding in low-lying areas.

With Gov. Chris Christie having declared a state of emergency, Manchester Township Mayor Kenneth Palmer is urging residents to prepare now for the arrival of Joaquin.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to monitor the storm closely for the next 48 hours as forecasters continue to try to pin down landfall.

The coastal flood watch issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly says the biggest risk of flooding will be in the hours around high tide Thursday night, which will occur between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. on the oceanfront and later in the back bays. Roads may flood and minor to moderate property damage is possible.

As residents continue to monitor the storm, here are steps that can be taken:

• Make sure you have necessary supplies:
  at least 3-day supply of water, with one gallon of water per person per day;
  nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food;
  flashlights -- do not use candles, especially around children and pets;
  a battery-powered or hand-crank radio;
  extra batteries;
  a first aid kit;
  a 7-day supply of medication and medical items;
  sanitation and personal hygiene items;
  cell phone with chargers;
  baby food and supplies;
  pet food and supplies.

• Gather important documents -- birth certificates, passports, homeowner’s insurance, vehicle titles, deeds -- in one place and keep it with you to ensure you have them if needed after the storm.
• Create an evacuation plan with members of your family to minimize confusion.
• If you have family members with special medical needs, be sure authorities are aware as you or they may need extra assistance.
• If you have pets, be sure to make plans for their care. Remember that shelters may not allow pets.

Hopefully the hurricane will change path and not have a direct impact on our area, but in case it does, please make every effort to be prepared, Palmer said.

For further updates, please check the Facebook pages of ‘Ken Palmer, Mayor of Manchester’ and ‘Manchester Police.’ If you are signed up for NIXLE, you will receive pertinent alerts. You may also tune in to your local radio station for more information.

(Sandbags in place for a storm, by NCDOTcommunications, via Creative Commons)