FLORENCE: County to set up emergency shelter in township

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   FLORENCE — Tomorrow, a Burlington County emergency shelter will be operational at the Fountain of Life Center, 2035 Columbus Rd.
   The National Weather Service warned on Sunday that the very large and dangerous Hurricane Sandy was continuing to move parallel to the East Coast.
   And as of an update at 11 p.m. Sunday, the NWS said that Sandy was about to start its northward turn.
   Hurricane Sandy is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, coastal hurricane winds and heavy Appalachian snows, according to the NWS.
   The NWS has issued high wind and coastal flood warnings, a flood watch and hazardous weather outlook for the Florence.
      As for the emergency shelter in Florence, it will open 9 a.m. Monday and will have the capacity to house 200 people. There will be 50 beds available for people with medical needs. it is being set up by Burlington County Emergency Management personnel with the assistance of the Red Cross.
   County shelters will also be set up at the Chairville School, in Medford, and at the Palmyra Community Center, in Palmyra, according to a Burlington County press release. The Medford and Palmyra locations can shelter 200 people each.
   Schools of the Florence Township School District will be closed on Monday, Oct. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 30. Student activities have also been cancelled.
   ”Take all precautions necessary to stay safe during this storm,” the district website stated over the weekend.
   All flights have been cancelled at the Philadelphia Airport on Monday.
   Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday declared a state of emergency throughout New Jersey ahead of Hurricane Sandy reaching the Garden State.
   ”I am urging all New Jerseyans to take every possible and reasonable precaution to ready themselves for the storm’s potential impact,” Gov. Chris Christie said.
   The storm is anticipated to impact 60 million Americans.
   Sandy is expected to make landfall along the central New Jersey coast Monday evening, the NWS said.
   Noteworthy, there will be a full moon Monday night, which creates high tides along coastal shores.
   Ahead of Hurricane Sandy reaching New Jersey, Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio announced on Sunday that the county offices would be closed on Monday — except for essential personnel.
   Mr. Garganio said, “The County has done everything possible to prepare, and hopefully, our residents have as well.”
   Mr. Garganio said that every effort has been made to open dams and lower water levels on all the branches of the Rancocas Creek, but residents who live along the creek should be prepared to evacuate, according to a county release on Hurricane Sandy.
   The county release said that all transportation services have been cancelled for tomorrow, including the BurLink bus service and the paratransit service for seniors and the handicapped. Curbside recycling has been cancelled for both Monday and Tuesday. In addition, both Meals on Wheels and congregate meals program have been cancelled for Monday.
   Across America, Hurricane Sandy is being referred to as Frankenstorm.
      From New York to Pennsylvania, bottled water was sold out at many businesses over the weekend, and some stations were out of gasoline Sunday.
   Florence Township has issued Hurricane Sandy warnings online.
   ”Due to the hurricane anticipated to hit our area, residents are urged to stay off roadways, secure all items outside your home and only call emergency services for an emergency,” the Florence website stated online Sunday.
   ”If it becomes necessary to leave your home or if you are ordered to do so, be sure to take medications and important medical and financial documents with you. The storm may cause delays in waste collection and could affect public services,” the Florence site stated.
   As of Sunday evening, the NWS forecast 65-mph winds on Monday night in Florence. Rainfall is slated for New Jersey throughout the week, with the heaviest rainfall predicated for the area on Monday.
   Power outages are also expected throughout the New Jersey.
   State offices will be closed on Monday, as will New Jersey Transit lines, the governor announced on Sunday.
   Hurricane Sandy is set to New Jersey 13 months after Hurricane Irene brought historic flooding to New Jersey municipalities.
   According to the Office of the Governor, “Drivers are advised to drive with caution, follow the rules of the road, stay alert and respect the weather elements that may impact their drive. Unnecessary travel is not recommended.”
For information on the Florence Office of Emergency Management, visit www.facebook.com/FlorenceOEM.
   
For more information, visit www.weather.gov or www.state.nj.us.
   
Motorists may check current road conditions via the New Jersey Department of Transportation, www.NJ511.info.