Township Officials Prep for Possible Major Storm

While the citizenry stocks up on bottled water and non-perishables and the media try to contain their hyperbole, township officials are doing their best to prep for if/when Hurricane Sandy strikes.

Moorestown Police Sgt. Lee Lieber, the township’s emergency management coordinator, said he and other officials are receiving regular weather updates and have already put a plan in motion to make sure the township is ready should Sandy live up to the hype.

“It’s Mother Nature and you can’t predict what’s going to happen ... Nobody wants to jump the gun,” he said.  

The chances of the storm striking New Jersey, and the rest of the East Coast, rose between Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service warned the storm could bring with it strong damaging winds, extremely heavy rainfall and major flooding along streams and rivers, with the potential for record river flooding. The timetable for any impact from Hurricane Sandy turning into a potential nor’easter would be Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

Needless to say, township officials are taking precautions. Lieber said the public works tree trimming truck is gassed up and ready to go—should the storm fell any limbs and knock down power lines—and the fire department already has a number of its members on standby.

Lieber said township officials have been coordinating their preparedness efforts with county and state agencies as well. But given how vague the details of the storm still are, “it’s a little bit too early to place people,” he said.

Lieber urged residents to have an emergency kit (flashlight, batteries, etc.) prepared—not just for this storm, but for future use as well—and to monitor the state police website, National Weather Service website and National Hurricane Center website.

The National Weather Service is expected to provide another update today. Stay with Patch for more information as the storm develops.