Full Notification

INFORMATION RELEASE #2

Hurricane Irene

Irene continues to be an Extraordinary Threat to the east coast, including New Jersey, according to meteorologists.

The Township of Denville anticipates significant flooding, downed trees and utility poles resulting in a loss of power and closure of roads due to these incidents. Due to the size of this storm, utility company resources will be stretched thin. This will result in longer than normal delays to have power restored. Power outages may last for multiple days.

Residents and business owners who live in flood prone areas must take this storm seriously and begin taking action immediately. Those who live near the flood prone areas that do not routinely flood should expect flooding during this storm and should begin to take precautions.

All residents, not only those in the flood prone areas are encouraged to take precautionary measures to prepare for the largest hurricane to strike our area in many decades. These precautions and preparations should include the following at a minimum:

1. Battery powered flashlights
2. Battery powered radio
3. Extra Batteries
4. Drinking water and non-perishable food for your entire family for 4 days
5. Cell phones should be fully charged
6. Vehicles and containers for gasoline filled
7. Pumps and generators inspected to ensure they are working properly

Later today, information will be released regarding the location of shelters provided by the township if it becomes necessary for people to leave their homes. Denville Township Animal Control is prepared to handle the kenneling of animals in the event of an emergency so that residents may leave with their animals.

The Denville Police Department and Office of Emergency Management will closely monitor this situation and update residents as necessary. Residents are encouraged to sign up to receive “NIXLE” messages by visiting the police department website at www.denvillepolice.org and clicking on the NIXLE box at the top right of the website. Nixle is a web based notification system that allows us to immediately send emergency information via text messages and email to cell phones, computers and smart phones. We will also utilize the Reverse 9-1-1 telephone system for emergencies, however, that system may become overloaded if the entire county suffers damages. There is no need to subscribe to Reverse 9-1-1; your home telephone number is automatically added to the data base. The Reverse 9-1-1 system does not utilize any cell phone data base and therefore will not make notification to residents on cell phone numbers.

Residents may also want to click on the following link to the State of New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management website for additional information on emergency preparedness; http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/plan/kit-plan.html

In the event of an emergency during the storm, residents should call 9-1-1. For all other inquiries or to report property damage, please contact the police department at 973-627-4900 and dial ext. 9 for the dispatcher.