County Issues Hurricane Preparedness Information

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today and runs through November 30. The Union County Office of Emergency Management announced a few simple guidelines for County families to follow in the event of a severe storm warning and/or advisory. 

County Emergency Preparedness officials encourage residents to register with the UC First Alert Network at http://ucfirstalert.org.  The County of Union uses the UC First Alert Network to immediately deliver important alerts, notifications and updates to residents’ email, cell phone, pager and smartphone devices during a major crisis or emergency. 

“UC First Alert will provide residents with an immediate notification on where to go, what to do and who to contact in the event of an emergency,” stated Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh, liaison to the Union County Homeland Security Committee.

In addition to UC First Alert, those individuals with special needs are asked to register electronically with the New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters at www.registerready.nj.gov.  The NJ Special Needs Registry is a free, voluntary and confidential program designed to assist people with special needs who may find it difficult to get to safety in the event of an emergency.  Alternatively, they can call New Jersey’s toll-free 2-1-1 telephone service.  

Aside from registering with UC First Alert, County Emergency Preparedness officials emphasize that residents need to stay informed.  Knowing information such as the location of nearby shelters, and other basic safety tips can help keep individuals withstand the first few hours of a severe storm. 

Officials stress that it is essential to understand the difference between a Severe Storm Watch; when weather conditions are favorable and a Severe Storm Warning; when weather conditions have been observed and/or is expected.

County Emergency Preparedness officials encourage residents to follow three basic measures in the event of a severe storm:

Pack a Go-Bag, a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation.  A Go-Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels.  Items to be considered include, but are not limited to, copies of important documents in a waterproof and portable container, bottled water and non-perishable food, flashlight and battery operated AM/FM radio.  For a full list of items that should be included in your Go-Bag, please visit http://ucnj.org/government/Public-Safety/emergency-management.

Develop a Disaster Plan, which will ensure your family members know what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency.   Helpful suggestions in developing your family’s disaster plan can be found at http://ucnj.org/government/Public-Safety/emergency-management.

Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit, keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own, or shelter in place, for at least three days.  If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. For a full list of items that should be included in your Emergency Supply Kit, please http://ucnj.org/government/Public-Safety/emergency-management.

“In addition to these three basic measures, it is important for all members of your family to learn how and when to shut off the water, gas and electricity throughout your home,” stated Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran. 

In addition to the Union County website, more information on severe storm safety tips can be found at the following sites:

Turn Around Don’t Drown - http://www.weather.gov/os/water/tadd/
Tornado Facts and Safety Tips - http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html
Severe Storm Facts and Safety Tips - http://www.weather.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml
National Weather Service Watches and Warnings - http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/
NJ Office of Emergency Management – www.ready.nj.gov