Schlegel: "We Are in a State of Preparedness"

Howell Township Manager Helene Schlegel said the township is continuing its preparations for Hurricane Irene and said residents should to do the same. 

While Monmouth County has announced throughout the area that residents can go to, Schlegel said on the local level efforts are being made to be ready for the storm when it arrives this weekend. "In coordination with my office and the Howell Township Office of Emergency Management, right now we're in a state of preparedness," she said. 

That preparedness comes in various forms according to Schlegel, including moving the township's buses to higher ground should they be needed to help in an evacuation effort and sand bags to be used to stop any overrun from area waterways. No evacuation plans are currently in effect, but Schlegel said major roadways including Route 9, Route 33 and Interstate 195 will be the three best ways to leave for those so inclined. 

Currently, the bigger concern for Schlegel and the rest of what she called a "critical team," including the police department and the office of emergency management is the threat of flooding and downed trees blocking the local roads.

With all the information being circulated about the storm, Schlegel said it was important for residents to have an emergency plan that covers not only them, but also their pets. She said the Humane Society advises that all evacuation plans should make accommodations for animals large and small for families going to other locations.

With concerns about trees being knocked down and power being lost, Schlegel said crews from JCP&L will be stationed at Middle School North to assist with restoring power as soon as possible.

Last night Schlegel sent an email to residents following a conference call with Governor Chris Christie and other emergency personnel about the hurricane and how to respond to it. At that time they were told the track of the storm would put the center near the New Jersey Coastline which could mean more than 10 inches of rain and what she called "life threatening circumstances."

As a result of the storm's potential impact, the township will activate its Emergency Operations Center starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Emergency calls should still be directed to 911, while non emergencies should be called in to 732-414-3245. Schlegel's email said that while the storm will likely only last a maximum of 24 hours, power outages, road closures and water contamination issues could linger for a few days after. 

With more than 24 hours until the full brunt of the storm is expected to be felt in our area, Schlegel said the township is preparing for whatever Irene brings. "The key thing is we don't want to underestimate the storm," she said. "Should this be wrong and should we get a drizzle we will be happy about that and this will be just an exercise in preparedness," she said. "We're just trying to be as prepared as we can be."

Having been in Howell for close to 30 years, Schlegel said she could not remember an event like this possibly having such an impact on the township. Because of that, being prepared is of the utmost importance and she said she believes the township's services will be ready to work together to help the citizens work through this major weather event.