Hurricanes - Prepare for the Season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Are you ready?

Depending on where and how it hits land, a hurricane has the potential to cause significant danger and damage. Utilities such as electricity, phone, water, and internet service may be disrupted. Outages may last for more than 24 hours and heat may be out in homes. Grocery stores and pharmacies may be closed or residents may not be able to get to them. Because of Montgomery's river basin location, road closures are likely. Travel may be unsafe or impossible during and soon after the storm, when flood waters may still be rising.

Please anticipate these possibilities and prepare to be able to "shelter in place" - remain at home until vehicular traffic and utility services are restored.

Residents who feel they are unable to shelter in place should immediately develop a plan to leave the region before the storm arrives.

Please consider the following household preparations:

To Minimize Damage, In Advance Do the Following...

Ensure your assets are protected. Inventory your home possessions by videotaping or photographing items of value. Review your insurance policies now to insure you have enough coverage.
There are housekeeping and yard clean-up tasks you can do well in advance that will help protect you and your property.
Remove or secure all objects that may become air borne from yards and porches.
Check sump pumps and back-up batteries.
Clear valuable items off floors of basements.
Make sure gutters and leaders and sump pump drains are clear.
If there is a roadway storm drain near your home, make sure it is clear of debris.
Fill up gas tanks and garage your vehicles during the storm, avoid parking under trees.
If you have a generator you plan to use should power fails, test it now.
Consider keeping a sufficient supply of fuel on-hand appropriately stored in suitable portable containers for generators in the event fuel sources cannot be reached.

Basic Necessities:

Fill all needed prescriptions and keep first aid kit stocked.
Have sufficient food in house that does not require cooking. Consider packing your freezer and/or a cooler with ice for food storage.
Stock at least 3 days drinking water (1 gallon/ person/day)
Fill bathtub/large containers for flushing water.
Buy batteries, have flashlights and portable radios on hand.
Plan for your pets like you would plan for your family. Make sure to have a stockpile of food and water available. Have a cat carrier or dog crate and a heavy leash available to contain your animals. Make sure your pet has a collar with ID on it.
Conserve water during the storm. If you have an electric well pump and are without electric, you may be without water for drinking, cleaning and flushing toilets for an extended period after your tank empties.
Have a go bag ready that includes a changes of clothes and a small bag of essentials.
Have your vital documents secured and have a copy to take with you, if you needed to leave your home.
More info on emergency planning and kit prep at Ready.gov

Communications:

We do our best to keep road closure and other emergency information flowing via Nixle bulletins during severe weather events. However, conditions may change rapidly. For your own safety, DO NOT CROSS POLICE BARRIERS PLACED IN ROADWAYS. Even if a barrier is not yet placed, do not cross ponded water on roads, especially near waterways, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.
If possible keep a corded (not portable or VOIP) landline phone available, which will still work when power is out.
Charge cell phones, only use minimally if electric goes out to keep battery up. Consider purchase of a cell phone hand-crank charger. Note: Text messages can sometimes get through when cell calls cannot.
NIXLE: Montgomery Township Police send out emergency texts or emails via Nixle. Click the previous link to see messages and sign-up. Residents can register to receive messages by sending a text message with their zip code to 888777
Subscribe to Montgomery Ebulletins for preparedness reminders and other important announcements. Self-subscribe from the homepage under "Stay Informed".

Follow us via Twitter by messaging 'InMontgomeryNJ' to 40404 from your cell phone or by going to Twitter: In Montgomery, NJ.

We've gathered a recommended list of emergency info Twitter pages to follow. Subscribe to List at Twitter: In Montgomery, NJ.

Our list of local and regional emergency info channels to consider found at the Emergency Notifications page.

PSE&G Power Outages:

To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G's Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG.
Power outage info throughout PSE&G service territory is online at the PSEG Outage Center. There you will find a link to an outage map and may register for MyAlerts ahead of time to get texts about an outage.
Sign up for My Account at PSEG.com and bookmark the homepage on your smart phone to report outages and check restoration progress.
Please do not call the municipal building for utility information, call the utility directly.
Only dial 9-1-1 in a true emergency.

Other Tips

Plan and discuss storm safety IN ADVANCE with your family: How will my family/household get to safe locations? How will we get in touch if cell, internet or local phone service does not work – designate a non-impacted out-of-area relative to contact? Where is a safe place to meet up after the emergency?
Write out emergency phone numbers. Plan for possibility of staying with a relative or friend, should power loss be extended.
It is recommended that those with special needs register at Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters
Read hurricane preparedness tips at Ready.gov/hurricanes