Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kelly Vence
Public Information Office
908-820-4124

MAYOR BOLLWAGE’S GUIDE TO
HURRICANE PREPARATION

ELIZABETH, NJ, August 25, 2011— As Hurricane Irene makes its way up the East Coast, which weather reports are predicting to be on course for New Jersey, Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and the City of Elizabeth are encouraging residents to be prepared.

The State of New Jersey has already issued a State of Emergency as all await the arrival of the hurricane.

Residents should be advised of the following information:

1. We urge all residents to stay inside their homes at all times during the storm. No one should be out in the streets, whether it be driving or walking. In case of emergency, please use the information below.

2 Trinitas Regional Medical Center is implementing a comprehensive emergency plan that will allow it to continue to provide needed services to patients as Hurricane Irene strikes the state this weekend. Physicians and critical nursing staff will remain at the Medical Center throughout the storm, and all vital equipment is on full emergency back-up generators in the event that power outages occur in the Elizabeth area.

3. Residents in Wards 1, 2 & 3 are not to put garbage out before 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. Please refrain from doing so until the storm passes.

4. Make sure your pets are safe and secure. Pets should have a collar on with proper tags and have a leash on hand to control your pet or have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal – carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.

5. In case of flooding, please call the Fire Department at 908-820-2800. Residents who will need to have their homes pumped will be placed on a list. For maximum effect, water cannot be pumped until AFTER the storm is complete. Please shut off the gas and remove all chemicals or containers from the ground.

6. New Jersey Transit will stop all service beginning Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 12:00pm. Check with NJ Transit for Monday’s Schedule. Please except delays.

7. Please put all vehicles in your driveway, or at one of the safe locations listed below. If you do not have a driveway or a safe place to park your vehicle, City Parking Garages will be available for you to park your car, free of charge. To find the closest lot in your neighborhood, please visit: www.elizabethparking.org, and view the interactive map.*

*Available lots are as follows:

Lot #3: Elizabeth Avenue & Reid Street
Lot #4: Morris Avenue
Lot #6: Jefferson Avenue & Dickinson Street
Lot #8: Jefferson Avenue & Hampton Place
Lot #9: Elizabeth Avenue (next to Petusa Furniture)
Lot #10: North Broad Street & Morris Avenue (by Train Arch)
Lot 11: West Grand Street & Union Street
Lot #16: High Street
Lot #18: Westfield Avenue & Union Street

All of the Parking Garage gates will be opened for your convenience. Vehicles MUST be removed from garages by 8:00 a.m., Monday morning.

8. Only in the case of an evacuation the following centers will be available for shelter:


Stephen Sampson Center
800 Anna Street

Mickey Walker Center
860 Anna Street
O’Donnell Dempsey Center
622 Salem Avenue

Erxleben Recreation Center
513 Richmond Street
Elmora Racquet Club
23 Fernwood Terrace

9. Homes should have a fully stocked basic supply kit that could be used in case of emergency or are isolated without power. Each kit should include the essentials:

1. Water (one gallon per person per day)
2. Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
3. Can opener
4. Emergency blankets
5. One week supply of medication
6. Flashlight
7. Batteries
8. Battery-powered radio
9. First-aid kit
10. Sanitation and personal-hygiene items
11. Copies of important documents like medication lists, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and proof of home ownership
12. Depending on the needs of your family, there may be other items you need to include, such as baby supplies--diapers, formula, and bottles.
13. Two-way radios, extra healthcare items (glasses, etc.), and duct tape are also good to have on hand.


10. In case of emergency, please call the following numbers:


908-558-2111 (Police Department)
908-820-2800 (Fire Department)
908-820-4150 (City Yard)

Mayor Bollwage advised residents to utilize the City of Elizabeth’s numerous social media outlets to remain updated. Storm information will continue to be posted throughout the weekend via the City’s Nixle communication (http://local.nixle.com/city-hall-of-elizabeth-nj) and notification service, Facebook as well as Twitter.

Nixle updates enable municipal officials to communicate instantly with residents. Information can be sent to cell phones via text messages or through e-mail. If residents are interested in registering for this free service, they may visit www.nixle.com or text their zip code to 888777, however standard text message rates would apply.

Mayor Bollwage’s Twitter page is accessible from the City’s website located at www.elizabethnj.org and the official Facebook page of the City of Elizabeth can be accessed at http://www.facebook.com/CityofElizabethNJ.

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