PRINCETON: Officials: Prepare now for hurricanes

By Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer
   Hurricane season for 2012 got underway on Friday and after the damages Hurricane Irene brought last year, all Princeton and Mercer County residents are being encouraged to begin preparing for this year’s hurricane season. Hurricane season last through Nov. 30.
   ”After Irene and especially with the consolidation, there has been more emphasis on emergency management,” said Robert Gregory, director of emergency services in Princeton Borough. “We make sure that we are staying ahead of the curve.”
   Mr. Gregory said Princeton kicked off its emergency hurricane planning this year by holding an emergency management expo in February to initiate discussion on what could be learned from Hurricane Irene and what services would be helpful and practical for the community.
   According to Mr. Gregory, people such as the police, fire department, first aid squad, the Princeton University campus police and hospital representatives attended the expo to foster a comprehensive approach to emergency management.
   Mr. Gregory also said that Princeton works with the Red Cross to help prepare for hurricane season.
   ”We collaborate with the Red Cross to help prepare shelters so if a hurricane hits and we have to move people, we would already have plans in place,” Mr. Gregory said.
   According to Mr. Gregory, the hurricane issues that are most common in the Princeton and Mercer County area are power outages and flooding, and Emergency Services has taken steps to prepare for these potential problems.
   ”We have had discussions about power outages and how we can talk to utilities about a quicker response time,” Mr. Gregory said.
   With regards to flooding, Mr. Gregory said he has identified major roads that had problems with flooding in the past, such as Quaker Road and Mercer Road, and is confident in Princeton and Mercer County’s ability to handle the situation.
   He also does not foresee any major issues with transporting people to hospitals in the event of an emergency, even with Princeton hospital’s move to Plainsboro.
   ”The rescue squad has worked diligently in mapping out alternative routes to the hospital,” said Mr. Gregory.
   While Mr. Gregory demonstrated Princeton’s preparedness for hurricane season, he also emphasized the importance of individual preparation.
   ”My message to the people of the area is now is the time to do your own preparation,” Mr. Gregory said.
   The Red Cross suggests assembling an emergency kit that contains necessary items such as food and water, a flashlight, a battery powered radio, extra batteries and a first aid kit. Kits should also contain a seven day supply of all prescription medication along with sanitation items, copies of personal documents, emergency contact information, maps of the area, an emergency blanket and extra cash in case credit card machines are down.
   The Red Cross suggests a family meeting to create an evacuation plan and meeting spots.
   According to the Red Cross, families should also bring in any outdoor furniture that can be picked up by the wind and fill their gas tanks before a storm hits.
   Mr. Gregory added purchasing a generator to prevent flooding in case sump pumps lose power during a storm.
   ”Getting ready now can reduce the impact of hurricanes,” said Mathieu Nelessen, the CEO of the American Red Cross North Jersey Region. “If your family has been prepared since last year’s hurricane season, now is a good time to revisit and update your plans and check preparedness kits for expired items.”
   ”When the storm hits it’s important for people to listen to what emergency services are telling them,” Mr. Gregory said. “Individuals need to heed warnings.”
   Although Mr. Gregory views listening to the directions of authorities as one of the most important actions to take during a hurricane, he also recognizes the difficulties that this suggestion presents.
   ”I understand peoples’ frustration about how we get the word out when phone lines are down,” said Mr. Gregory. “Some people have suggested we use good old-fashioned bullhorns,” Mr. Gregory said with a chuckle. “We are looking to be more proactive with reverse 911 systems so police can reach out to the community in times of crisis.”
   According to the Red Cross, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a near-normal year for hurricanes that will feature nine to 15 storms in the Atlantic Ocean. Four to eight of these storms could strengthen to a hurricane with winds of 74 mph or higher, and three of these storms could become major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.
   ”Prevention is key,” said Mr. Gregory. “We can’t control the weather, but we can do the best we can to prepare.”