Red Cross Urges New Jersey to Plan for Hurricane Sandy

Posted 2012-10-25

Contact: Diane Concannon, American Red Cross - North Jersey Region

Telephone Office: (609) 951-2116

Telephone Cell: (609) 206-4043

Diane.Concannon@redcross.org

FOR MEDIA ONLY

PRINCETON, NJ, October 25, 2012 — The American Red Cross North Jersey Region is monitoring Hurricane Sandy as it heads north along Florida’s coastline and is working closely with government and other New Jersey partners on response plans should the storm have an impact on the state. While it is still too early to predict the precise track Sandy will take, forecasters say the storm may pose a threat to New Jersey early next week.

“Now is the time to put your plans in place and shop for any supplies necessary to update your disaster kits,” says Dennis McNulty, director of Disaster Services with the American Red Cross North Jersey Region. “Discuss your communication plan with family members to make sure all household members know what to do should this storm have a major impact on New Jersey.”

Just as the Red Cross is preparing for Hurricane Sandy, people in New Jersey should take the threat of Sandy seriously and take steps now to be prepared – build a kit, make a plan and be informed. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of hurricanes, which may bring flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes.

Red Cross tools make it easier for people to make or update plans. The Hurricane App for iPhone or Android smart phones helps people create a plan, share it with household members and over social networks. In addition, a template and instructions to build a plan are available at redcross.org.

The American Red Cross recommends the following preparedness actions:

Get or assemble an emergency preparedness kit:

A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days. Check your kit and replace perishable stock every six months. Whether you purchase a kit or choose to build your own, your three-day kit should include:

Water - one gallon per person, per day.

Food - non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, and canned fruit. Make sure to include a manual can opener.

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

A first aid kit.

Prescription and non-prescription medication items. Include medical supplies like extra hearing aid batteries, syringes, etc.

Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards.

Sanitation and personal hygiene items.

Extra cash. ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out.

Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.

One blanket or sleeping bag per person.

Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowls).

Prepare a family evacuation plan:

The American Red Cross urges each and every household to develop a household disaster plan.

Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered and why it is important to prepare for a disaster.

Identify two meeting places: one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.

Be sure to make advanced preparations for your pets. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in shelters. Contact hotels, motels, family members and animal shelters to see if they would allow pets in a disaster situation. Keep a contact list of “pet friendly” locations. If you are asked to evacuate, take your pets with you.

Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. During or after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance, especially if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your emergency contact person’s phone number and email address.

Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the water and electricity at the main switches. Turn gas off only if instructed by local authorities. Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only a professional can turn it back on.

Plan your evacuation route. Use local maps and identify alternate evacuation routes from home, work and/or school. Know where you are going and how you plan to get there before you leave home.

Be informed:

Find out what types of disaster are likely to occur in your area and how to prepare for each.

Find out how local authorities will contact you during a disaster. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions and follow the advice of local authorities.

If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. You may choose to evacuate sooner than alerted if you think you may need additional time.

Know what to do if a hurricane WATCH is issued:

Listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.

Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.

Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood.

If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding.

Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.

Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure items have not expired.

Know what to do if a hurricane WARNING is issued:

Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

If in a manufactured home, check tie-downs and evacuate as told by local authorities.

Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.

If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.

Do NOT use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.

If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.

For more information about hurricane preparedness, visit www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross North Jersey Region:

The American Red Cross North Jersey Region provides programs and services throughout the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren, with a combined population of 5.7 million. The region trains and mobilizes 4,500 volunteers who support the delivery of services in the community. Last year, the Red Cross North Jersey Region responded to 419 local disasters, helping 929 families displaced by home fires; educated more than 15,000 community members about disaster preparedness; collected more than 28,500 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; helped 844 military families send emergency messages, receive financial assistance, and get counseling and referrals; assisted 870 military members and their families facing deployment on how to access our services anywhere in the world; and trained 143,344 individuals with lifesaving skills in CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For continuous updates, follow us on Twitter @RedCrossNorthNJ. View the North Jersey Region list of social media channels.

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