Full Notification

Hurricane Preparedness - Be Prepared for the 2018 Season

Our nation experienced one of the most catastrophic hurricane seasons on record in 2017. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. No matter the hurricane category, the storms most often affect coastal areas and cause flooding.

Fair Lawn Emergency Management advises residents to prepare now for the hurricane season. To begin preparing residents should:

 Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan
 Register for notifications from the Borough at “Notification Sign-Up” on www.fairlawn.org
 Make plans to secure your property
 Prepare a “Go Kit” in case of evacuations
 Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant
 Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts
 Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down
 Install a generator for emergencies
 Have cash available. ATM’s may not be available.

If necessary, residents will be advised of sheltering options. Mass care shelters, if necessary, will be made available to residents. You should plan to take your “Go Kit” with you so you have the supplies that you require. The “Go Kit” should be assembled well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them. Please plan to take any medications that you might need if you evacuated. At least a five day supply should accompany you to a shelter.

Residents might also be asked to shelter in place. There may be circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and the outside. Use common sense and available information to assess the situation and determine if there is immediate danger.

Downed utility lines, blackouts, or summer storms can lead to power outages. Many residents are turning to generators as a temporary solution. Please remember the following safety precautions when using a generator.
 Generators should be used in well ventilated locations outside away from all doors, windows and vent openings.
 Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
 Place generators so that exhaust fumes can’t enter the home through windows, doors or other openings.
 Make sure to install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home.
 Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling. Never refuel a generator while it is running.
 Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for the purpose and is correctly labeled

Additional preparedness information can be found on the following websites:

 www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

 www.ready.gov

Fair Lawn Emergency Management issues bulletins as necessary throughout severe weather events. This notifications are made through the Emergency Telephone Notification System, the borough website, Twitter, Facebook, Nixle, e-mails and Fair Lawn Television.

For more information or questions, contact Fair Lawn Emergency Management at 201-794-5390 or via email at [email protected].