NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL
NEWS RELEASE
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John
R. Hagerty, NJSP
(609) 882-2000 x6515 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December
28, 2000
|
NEW JERSEY
STATE POLICE/OFFICE OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRACK COASTAL STORM
W. Trenton - Colonel Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the
New Jersey State Police and Director of the State Office of Emergency
Management (OEM) today announced that the New Jersey State Police
and the Office of Emergency Management is actively tracking the movement
of a potentially strong east coast storm developing off North Carolina.
The storm is expected to move toward the northeast late Friday and
into Saturday. The developing winter storm has the potential to produce
heavy snowfall along coastal New Jersey and some interior sections
of the state.
As part of the statewide storm-related preparations, the State Police
Office of Emergency Management will activate the statewide Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) located at State Police Division Headquarters
in West Trenton mid-day on Fri., Dec. 29 through midnight Sat., Dec.
30. The EOC will remain activated beyond Saturday should circumstances
require a continued State Police and emergency management response.
The activation of the EOC is part of the state Office of Emergency
Management's continued responsibilities to monitor and track weather
and storm conditions that have the potential to impact the state of
New Jersey and to keep crucial state, county and municipal agencies
advised of the potential storm conditions.
As of Wednesday (Dec. 27), the state Office of Emergency Management
continued to track the developing winter storm through regular updates
from the National Weather Service, NOAA and other specialized weather
tracking information systems. Regular weather updates are then provided
to each of the 21 county offices' of emergency management, the Department
of Transportation and the New Jersey National Guard. The OEM will
continue issuing regular weather updates and information reminders
to state, county and local emergency-related agencies as necessary.
Currently, the National Weather Service reports that the developing
winter storm has the potential to produce heavy snowfall over portions
of the area. Based on current forecast models, the most likely areas
for the heaviest snows would be along the coastal sections of New
Jersey. Any shift in either direction would change the area of heavy
snowfall.
Col. Dunbar reminded New Jersey residents and visitors to keep a close
watch on news reports and to plan ahead before a severe weather situation
closes in. "More importantly," Dunbar said, "the public
must keep alert and be ready to follow instructions should emergency
management officials predict dangerous conditions and move to limit
travel or impose other public safety restrictions."
According to Captain Kevin Hayden, Deputy Director of the state Office
of Emergency Management, New Jersey's emergency management system
is at the ready and in place to help the public safely negotiate any
weather-related threat. To avoid becoming a storm victim, New Jersey
residents and travelers are reminded to take precautions and to be
prepared for any emergency situation. Basic safety reminders and preparedness
tips can help get people through a heavy snow storm or weather-related
event. Some preparedness tips include:
-
Store drinking water, first aid kit, canned/no-cook food, non-electric
can opener, radio, flashlight and extra batteries where you can
get them easily - even in the dark;
-
Keep cars and other vehicles fueled and in good repair, with a winter
emergency kit in each;
-
Get a NOAA Weather radio to monitor severe weather;
-
Know the warning terms for each kind of disaster:
- Winter Storm
Watch - Be alert, a storm is likely.
-
Winter Storm Warning - Take action, the storm is in or entering
the area.
-
Blizzard Warning - Snow and strong winds combined will produce blinding
snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind
chill - seek refuge immediately.
-
Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected
to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially
to motorists.
-
Frost/Freeze Warning - Below freezing temperatures are expected
and may cause damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees.
- Know ahead
of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors
or employees;
-
Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may
provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment.
Install storm shutters, doors, and windows; clear rain gutters;
repair roof leaks; and check the structural ability of the roof
to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow;
-
Dress
in layers when the temperatures drop. Experts recommend wearing
several layers of loose-fitting, light weight, warm clothing rather
than one layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly
woven and water-repellent. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Wear
a hat. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from
extremely cold air. Wear sturdy, waterproof boots in snow or flooding
conditions;
-
Remember that if you lose your power and are using kerosene heaters
to make sure to maintain ventilation to avoid a build-up of toxic
fumes. Keep heaters at least three feet from flammable objects and
refuel kerosene heaters outside.
Additional weather and winter storm preparedness information is
available through the New Jersey State Police Web Page at www.njsp.org;
the State of New Jersey Web Page at www.state.nj.us; via WEATHER.NOAA.GOV/PHI;
through the NOAA weather radio station or from local media weather
updates.