South Brunswick Prepares for Potential 'Perfect Storm'

While the Northeast watches the path of Hurricane Sandy as it makes its way towards New Jersey, South Brunswick officials are urging residents to be proactive and take steps to prepare for an impact greater than Hurricane Irene in 2011.

On Thursday, the township Public Works Department was conducting leaf collection to make sure storm sewers are free from debris in an attempt to mitigate flooding.

"We won't know until late Friday how badly we're going to get hit, but we've started doing cleanup stuff now to prepare," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz. "If it becomes imminent that we're getting hit, our Office of Emergency Management will kick in and we'll set up shelters at the senior center and community center."

Township officials also ask residents with a storm drain by their home to make sure it's clear to help minimize flooding.

The Carribean-born Hurricane Sandy made landfall over Cuba Thursday morning as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing sustained winds of 105 mph. Forecasters predict the current track will take Sandy over the Bahamas before it turns north. From there computer models differ on where Sandy will go. One takes it northeast and out to sea over the Atlantic. But another, more reliable model, says Sandy will make landfall somewhere near Delaware, the National Weather Service said Thursday morning. The storm is expected to impact South Brunswick between Sunday and Wednesday. The forecast indicates sustained winds of 70 mph with even higher gusts as Sandy approaches this region. 

“We have shifted from an advisory stage to a planning stage and we encourage all residents to do the same,” said Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic.

All models indicate the storm, or remnants of it, will be intense with an impact from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast, from Norfolk to Portland, including Washington, D.C., the New York City area, and Boston. There are additional concerns that Sandy could merge with a "nor'easter" that was anticipated to strike the region next week anyway. 

The Category 2 storm is expected to weaken over the next 48 hours as Sandy moves through the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is not expected to be at hurricane strength when it reaches land in the U.S., but the slow movement of the storm increases the potential for damage due to a longer duration. Experts predict if the storm follows its current path, the damage could exceed the estimated $4.3 billion Hurricane Irene.

During Hurricane Irene last year, almost 75 percent of South Brunswick lost power, hundreds of trees were downed, and numerous roads were closed, including major artery roadways and parts of Route 1. Schmalz said in the aftermath of Irene, PSE&G did extensive work cutting back tree limbs near power lines.

"There's always a concern from trees coming down depending on the strength of the wind," Schmalz said. "We're hoping all the work public service did will keep us from losing power in most of the town again. Hopefully through the preparation they made and that we made, there will be minimal impact, but that depends on the velocity of the wind."

Also a major area of concern is the potential for flooding in town. In South Brunswick, certain areas of Route 1 consistently flood during heavy rainfall, something residents should be advised of should they need to travel.

Residents are urged to stay off the roads during and immediately after the storm, for their own safety and for the safety of first responders.

The area between  is the primary concern for the township in terms of flooding. A one-mile stretch of Route 1 near the Ridge Road intersection has also caused constant difficulties during storms, according to Schmalz. Other areas of concern for flooding are Route 1 and Finnegans Lane, and Route 1 and Blackhorse Lane near the Oakdale Mobile Home Park. On the east side of town, the Fresh Ponds Road area and parts of Cranbury-South River Road could also be a problem. 

During Hurricane Irene, the area under the Deans Lane train bridge became completely flooded. The Oakey Brook area and the Heathcote Brook area also present flood dangers.

The township Office of Emergency Management warns residents to be aware of several streams that occasionally flood and could impact the following areas in South Brunswick:

• Route 1 between Route 522 and Ridge Road 

• Route 27 in the area of Stillwell Road

• Oakdale Mobile Home Park - Route 1 

• Monmouth Mobile Home Park - Route 1 

• Deans Lane 

In the event an evacuation becomes necessary due to flooding or loss of power, the South Brunswick Senior Center is the first option as a township emergency shelter, with the Community Center at Woodlot Park and South Brunswick High School ready as backup shelters.

Throughout the storm, South Brunswick Patch will provide continuous up to the minute updates on road closures, power outages and flooding emergencies in town.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for constant updates by visiting www.facebook.com/SouthBrunswickPatch and liking us, or find us on Twitter at twitter.com/SBrunswickPatch.

Residents can also sign up to for notifications from the South Brunswick OEM by signing up for the free Nixle service at www.nixle.com/

Residents with special needs that require the use of life support equipment like respirators, ventilators, and oxygen equipment are asked to ensure that South Brunswick OEM is aware by calling 732-329-4646.

The South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management is issuing the following guidelines to assist residents with preparing for the impending storm:

PREPARATION

- Be prepared to evacuate if local officials instruct you to do so.

- Be prepared for potential long-term power outages.

- Leaves! There a lot of leaves on the ground. Leaves are excellent material to clog/block storm drains, worsening local/neighborhood flooding. Get leaves and any other obstructing materials away from storm drains before this storm arrives.

Food and Water

You should have enough food and water at home for three to five days for each person in case the emergency keeps you in the house that long and you lose power, which is a recommendation most emergency planners make, according to the plan.

In the event you lose electricity, stock up on non-perishables that don't require refrigeration or cooking. That could include ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables; canned or boxed juices, milk and soup; condiments such as sugar, salt and pepper; high-energy food like peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars and trail mix; vitamins; food for infants or persons on special diets; cookies, hard candy, instant coffee and sweetened cereals;" as well as "bulk food items" like "wheat, powdered milk, corn and soy beans," the plan states. Keep a supply of bottled water.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

In addition to food and water, also have "first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools, emergency supplies, medication and specialty items" in your emergency kit, according to the plan. Put your items in airtight plastic bags in a container that's easy to carry, like a trash can, camping back pack or duffel bag. Make a smaller emergency kit to store in your car.

Tools and supplies you might want handy are extra batteries, mess kits or paper cups, plates and utensils, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, cash and change.

When the Power Goes Out

Check to see if your neighbors lost it too. Each household that has lost power should call at PSE&G 1-800-436-7734 to report it. Turn off major appliances like refrigerators, electric water heaters, air conditioners and pumps to avoid them overloading the electric lines when the power is restored. Leave a couple light switches on. Flashlights or battery-operated lanterns are recommended instead of candles and kerosene lanterns that could lead to a fire hazard, the plan states. You can use a portable generator for "limited electrical power," but make sure you only run it outside to avoid a fire or carbon monoxide threat.

Water systems with electric pumps, gas appliances and water heaters might not work in a power outage. Make sure you have another water source.

Look Out for Each Other

When there's a major storm, check on your relatives, neighbors, the elderly and anyone with disabilities to make sure they're okay.

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