'Frankenstorm:' Police Urge Residents to be Cautious

While Hurricane Sandy is predicted to hit the state in the next few days, the Jefferson Township Office of Emergency Management is recommending several ways for residents to stay as safe as possible.

Police Capt. Eric Wilsusen said residents should go to jeffersontownship.net to sign up for the Township Honeywell Instant Alert system to stay updated from the OEM.

This system is not the same as the school system, so if residents are registered for the school Honeywell system, they still need to sign up for the Township to receive emergency messages.

The messages can be received via text, voice, or email.  Wilsusen said the OEM will be issuing alerts as needed throughout the storm, including shelter information.

Wilsusen said residents can sign up at www.morrisoem.org for MCUrgent for updates on a County level.

The OEM is asking residents to prepare by asking the following questions:

• Are your sump pumps at the ready?
• What if the power goes out? Do you have or need to purchase emergency generators for your well or sump pumps?
• Do you have sandbags if you need them?
• Have you diverted your gutters/leaders away from your foundation?
• Have you sealed cracks in your foundation?
• Have you cleared you gutters of leaves?
• Have you considered moving items out of basements?
• Clear any storm drains in front of your homes.
• Have all your electronic devices fully charged and do you have car chargers available for your cell phone?
• Do you have a three day supply of food if necessary?  
• Do you need to secure anything outside in anticipation of heavy winds?

Wilsusen said the Township has emergency generators on its utilities so anyone on Township water or sewer should not have to worry about losing these utilities.

If residents lose power, Wilsusen said to not call police headquarters or the municipal building, and instead call JCP&L directly at 888-544-4877.

The OEM is also asking residents to assist in helping any of their elderly neighbors they are aware of to help them prepare for this storm.

"Don’t wait until the last minute," Wilsusen said in a release. "There is a lot of information out there especially on the internet on emergency preparedness.  It is worth researching and getting prepared ahead of time."