CITY OF VINELAND OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SANDY
CITY OF VINELAND OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SANDY
Vineland, NJ, October 26, 2012 - City-wide coordinated efforts are currently in place as we anticipate Hurricane Sandy to hit our area by Monday morning. Vineland’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has stated that substantial wind and rain can be expected to begin in our area as early as Sunday with heavy rain and strong winds increasing throughout the day on Monday and into Tuesday. The storm is expected to be a 48-hour event with winds reaching up to 75 miles an hour. Heavy rains amounting to 1 foot and flooding issues are expected.
OEM is coordinating with the Red Cross and Salvation Army to open emergency shelters in our area. Details will be announced once the coordinated efforts have been finalized.
Vineland Municipal Utilities has reached out to outside contractors to assist them with storm restoration, if needed.
“We are currently monitoring the storm’s path closely and calls have been made to third party resources to assist us with storm restoration,” said Joseph Isabella, Director of VMU. “This storm is much different than the unexpected Derecho storm that hit our area in late June. We have time to prepare and we are making sure we have the manpower and are well equipped to restore service to our customers as soon as we possibly can. With the hurricane force winds expected, our top priorities will be public safety, essential services and the safety of our personnel,” said Mr. Isabella.
The water utility has asked customers to conserve water during the storm.
For a list of water and electrical safety hurricane tips, please visit the Vineland Municipal Utilities website at: www.vinelandmunicipalutilities.org.
Public works employees are currently out clearing storm drain areas from leaves and debris to avoid flooding.
For local updates regarding the storm, residents can access the following links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vineland-Municipal-Utilities/291415184278414
https://www.facebook.com/#!/vldhealth?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Vineland-Fire-Department-Office-of-Emergency-Management/205377479565981?fref=ts
http://www.vldhealth.org/
www.vinelandmunicipalutilities.org
Residents can also sign-up to receive alerts through www.Nixle.com. A registration process is required. Once registered, residents will receive an e-mail and/or text message alert via their mobile phone device.
Recommended websites:
http://www.ready.gov/
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane
The American Red Cross also has a Hurricane App Vineland residents can download to their mobile devices for updated hurricane information.
The Vineland Office of Emergency Management will also be providing storm preparedness and situational awareness information through their community partner, The Calvary Chapel Church, who will be broadcasting emergency information and updates on their radio station – WPOV, 107.7 FM. The radio station broadcast area covers all of the City of Vineland and most of Cumberland County. Updated hurricane information can also be heard through Vineland’s health department radio station 1630 AM. A link to this station can also be accessed from the city’s health department website: http://www.vldhealth.org/.
“We are praying that this storm changes direction and heads out to sea but preliminary reports say the storm is headed our way. In anticipation of this hurricane, we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Mayor Robert Romano. We ask the citizens of Vineland to adhere to all the safety preparedness rules provided,” said Mayor Romano.
The following phone numbers may be used in the event of an emergency:
9-1-1 is used for police, fire and medical emergencies only.
For electric and water emergencies, please call VMU’s emergency number at (856) 794-4280. (hearing-impaired -794-4194)
Landis Sewerage Authority - Main number- 856-691-2324 or 691-0551. Back-ups and emergencies - 856-207-7557 or 609-820-6620
South Jersey Gas-leaks only- 800-582-7060 (hearing-impaired 800-547-9085)
Non-emergency police 856-691-4111, Non-emergency fire - 856-691-2480
Vineland Office of Emergency Management - 856-691-4540
Address/Location
Vineland Fire Dept./ Vineland OEM
110 N 4th St
Vineland, NJ 08360
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 856-691-2480
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP VINELANDFD followed by your message, to 888777