Brick Residents Urged To Monitor, Prepare For Joaquin

As forecasters continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Joaquin, emergency management officials from Brick 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. As a result, a coastal flood watch is in effect beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday and continuing through Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

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.

You can find a list of tide impact tables for Ocean County-- showing what tide height causes flooding where -- by clicking here.

The Brick Township Department of Public Works has sand bags available for residents at the facility on Ridge Road, officials said. They also recommend that homeowners having work done arrange with contractors to ensure all construction materials are properly secured.

Public Works can be reached at (732) 451-4060.

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; 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; copies of documents; 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.

(A steel revetment wall and sand piled along the wall are hoped to provide some mitigation from waves brought by Hurricane Joaquin. Credit: Karen Wall)