Hurricane Watch Issued for Shore as Irene Tracks Closer

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Monmouth and Ocean County residents face both voluntary and mandatory evacuations as a hurricane watch has been issued for the entire Jersey Shore region.

All of New Jersey's coastal counties, as well as portions of Burlington and Cumberland counties, and even the city of Philadelphia, are covered under the watch, which means hurricane conditions are possible over the next 48 hours.

Hurricane Irene, packing winds of 115 m.p.h., was 830 miles south of Cape May at 5 p.m, according to the National Weather Service, which issued the watch.

"There is still some time for Irene to strengthen," an advisory, issued at 5 p.m. from the National Hurricane Center, said.

The hurricane center's current forecast calls for Irene to be a category two storm – meaning it will have minimum sustained winds of at least 96 m.p.h. - when it nears New Jersey. Once inland, however, it will begin to rapidly decrease in intensity, the forecast said.

According to the hurricane center's 5 p.m. update, forecast models are now taking Irene's track very close to the coast, or even across the middle of New Jersey, farther west than even earlier Thursday.

"The confidence in the track forecast is increasing," the advisory said.

Long Beach Island residents will be forced to leave by Friday morning, and officials from Belmar, Berkeley and Toms River are asking residents who live near the shoreline to leave voluntarily.

Governor Christie has declared a  that will mobilize the National Guard to address the hurricane preparedness, and he also strongly encouraged everyone to stay away from the Jersey Shore this weekend.

The forecast track of Hurricane Irene will cause significant impacts regardless of its exact course, forecasters from the National Hurricane Center warned in an update released Thursday.

An air mass coming across North America will not be enough to steer Irene clear from the eastern seaboard, and the storm will still be packing hurricane-force winds when it is in the vicinity of New Jersey.

"I'd rather be wrong here," said meteorologist Steve DiMartino of NYNJPAweather.com, who said he agrees with the forecast track put out by the hurricane center.

The county's keys for readiness are as follows:

• Prepare –  Assemble a Kit of Emergency Supplies – Batteries, flashlight, radio, first-aid kit,  medications, food and water to last three or more days, can opener, cooking tools, toiletries.
• Create an Emergency Plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations.
• Stay Informed – Listen to local radio and television for the latest information on storms and other emergencies.  Review what warning sirens are used in your community to alert residents of major emergencies.

“Preparing for the worst makes dealing with it that much easier,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “The likelihood that you and your family will survive a nor’easter, hurricane or other emergency depends on the preparations that you make now.”

Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas Arnone has also stressed financial readiness.

“To bring your readiness to the next level you should prepare your finances and consider making yourself available to help your neighbors in an emergency,” Arnone said.

The county advises: "Consider your insurance and financial needs in the event of a disaster. Also, take time to prepare a household inventory. If an evacuation is necessary, be sure to have cash or credit cards at your disposal."

Emergency personnel also provided a number of recommendations for emergency supply kits. The list of items to include is as follows:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers

Additional items to consider adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Related Topics: Hurricane Irene