Atlantic Hurricane Season is June 1 to November 30, is your family prepared?
What You Can Do:
- Know the phone numbers for your utility companies.
- Always assume a downed wire is "live" and has electricity still flowing through it.
- Do not approach downed lines or downed trees that may have power lines entangled in it.
- Be sure to secure any loose outdoor items around your home or business, such as patio furniture, trash cans and decorations.
- Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
- If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
- Make a family emergency communication plan.
For more resources check out: https://www.ready.gov/, https://www.fema.gov/ and https://nj.gov/njoem/
Call your Utility Companies Directly to Report Outages:
Flash Flood Safety:
Get to Higher Ground. Avoid flood-prone areas. Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Don’t drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6 inches of water to knock you off your feet.
Flood Watch vs. Warning:
A Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding and flooding may occur
A Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring
What We Do:
Millburn Township closely monitors the trajectory of Hurricanes, and sends out emergency weather alerts through the website and Millburn Alert system to prepare residents for the incoming storm.
Sign up for Notify Me and Millburn Alert to receive these notifications.
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works begins the process of opening outflow pipes, catch basins, and walking the rivers to clear brush and potential hazards. They service and prepare all 10 submersible pumps which are used during clean up to expedite the removal of standing water. A generator is placed ahead of time at the Gilbert Place pump station, and a new emergency generator has been installed at Haran Circle. All sanitary pump stations now have emergency generators installed.
Fire Department
The Fire Department evaluates staffing levels should they need to mobilize in the event of a storm. Pumps and generators are readied. The department stocks up on gasoline, checks equipment, and conducts last-minute maintenance preparations. A Virtual tabletop drill was conducted with the Essex County Office of Emergency Management, which simulates the delivery of resources to municipalities during a storm.
Police Department
The Police Department evaluates its staffing levels, and is prepared to respond to an emergency should the need arise.