Monmouth County Officials Urge Residents to Stay Off Roads

The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging residents to remain in their homes or evacuation locations Sunday as public works crews work to clear roads.

Many Monmouth County roads were impassable the morning after Hurricane Irene swept through, including the Swimming River Road section of County Route 537. The Swimming River Reservoir overflowed onto the road around 10 a.m. Sunday.

“Don’t be too eager to get outside and survey the damage,” Acting OEM Director Michael Oppegaard said in a press release issued by the county. “With the amount of flooding and downed wires we experienced with this storm, we prefer that people stay inside at least until power companies can assess the danger.”

If residents can see a hazardous condition from where they are, they should call their local police or the utility company immediately. Issues such as downed power lines, broken gas or water mains or overturned gas tanks should be reported.

Utility companies can be reached at the following numbers:

• JCP&L: 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877)
• NJ Natural Gas: 800-GAS-LEAK (800-427-5325)  
• NJ American Water Company: 800-652-6987
• Shorelands Water Company: 732-264-7300

Monmouth County OEM officials recommend resident follow these tips during the storm’s aftermath:

• Stay informed and continue to listen to weather and information updates.
• Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires under any circumstances. Stay away from puddles with wires in/near them. Do not touch trees or other objects in contact with power lines.
• After power is restored, check refrigerated food for spoilage. Spoiled food can cause sickness two days to a week after the storm.
• Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors.
• Use 9-1-1 for emergencies only.