UPDATE: County Declares State of Emergency

With Hurricane Irene moving its way up the east coast, Howell Township is making preparations to help residents with whatever the impact of the storm ends up being. 

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders issued a state of emergency Thursday night in advance of Hurricane Irene. The declaration was approved unanimously during the governing body's regular meeting in Farmingdale.

Residents in coastal and low-lying areas are urged to evacuate voluntarily, according to a press release from the county. The Red Cross will operate emergency shelters at Holmdel High School, 36 Crawford’s Corner Road, and Wall High School, 1630 18th Ave., beginning Friday at 5 p.m., according to Sheriff Shaun Golden. Freeholder Director Robert Clifton said Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Points Road, will be available for overflow in the event Holmdel High School and Wall High School become full. Earlier plans for Brookdale Community College in Lincroft to serve as a shelter fell through because of a lack of generators at the facility, Public Information Officer William Heine said. Pets will not be permitted at the shelters, according to Monmouth County spokesperson Laura Kirkpatrick.

“Last weekend we had 4 inches of rain and some of our evacuation routes were impassable because of flooding,” Clifton said in the release. “This weekend we expect even more rain and wind, so it is important to make the decision to leave early before it becomes too late.”

Residents remaining in their homes should make preparations for the coming storm., which is expected to begin impacting the area late Saturday, Aug. 27. The National Weather Service forecasts the brunt of the storm will hit late Sunday, Aug. 28.

“We are encouraging people to prepare an emergency kit and make a plan should family members be separated,” said Laura Kirkpatrick, a Monmouth County spokesperson.

Multiple county departments are beginning storm preparations, according to Kirkpatrick. Department of Public Works and Engineering employees are clearing catch basins, loading vehicles with cones and barricades, and filling up gas tanks of county vehicles, she noted.

“We’re working closely with JCP&L and putting resources out in the field,” Kirkpatrick said.

A state of emergency will allow the Office of Emergency Management to mobilize all county resources and direct them where they are needed, according to the release. These actions include ordering mandatory evacuations and controlling traffic on all roadways.

In addition to emergency planning, residents can assist the county’s response by putting outdoor lawn furniture away and cleaning storm drains in front of their homes.

The county has prepared storm response information on its Web site.

On Thursday afternoon Township Manager Helene Schlegel sent out an email to residents outlining some of the steps the township is taking. Taking lessons from the heavy winter storms of the past year, the township will activate its Emergency Operations Center. As part of the center, residents requiring non-emergency help are encouraged to call 732-414-3245, while all emergency calls should still be directed to 911.

Schlegel added that depending on the severity of the storm, shelters will be set up in the town on an as needed basis.

The Howell Board of Education will also be participating in the township's efforts. An email from the district said that it has granted requests from JCP&L and other emergency organizations to stage in the parking lots of schools around the town. The email said residents should not be surprised if they see heavy equipment trucks in their area as they are just preparing for any possible need.