Emergency Supply Kit

Do you have an emergency supply kit? If not, you should consider putting one together. Here's a great list from which to build yours:

STEP ONE: "GET A KIT" of Emergency Supplies

ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME:

Three days' supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat FOOD
Three days' supply of WATER (a total of three gallons per family member)
Battery-operated RADIO and extra batteries
FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries
One week's prescription MEDICATIONS
FIRST AID KIT
Personal TOILETRIES
Non-electric CAN OPENER and UTENSILS
SPECIAL NEEDS items:
INFANT care items
Items for ELDERLY family members
Items for relatives with DISABILITIES
CASH or TRAVELERS CHECKS
Store important DOCUMENTS in a waterproof, safe location

IN CASE YOU NEED TO EVACUATE:

Keep your vehicle's gas level at a minimum of half-a-tank.
Every family member must carry CONTACT INFORMATION:
All phone numbers at work, school, etc. for every family member
The name and number of a relative who lives out-of-state, to call in case your family gets separated.

Flood Watch Issued

The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD WATCH for our area for what they're calling "Heavy and possibly record setting rainfall amounts."

Again - take a look at your situation and assess accordingly. Please be prepared. Do not take this lightly.

Thanks!

Hurricane Irene Preparedness Update

Here's the latest from the National Weather Service:

"...MAJOR HURRICANE IRENE TO STRONGLY AFFECT THE EAST COAST FROM NC
INTO THE NEW ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND...

THE LATEST NUMERICAL GUIDANCE CONTINUES TO ADJUST WESTWARD AS HAS
THE LAST SEVERAL NHC TRACK FORECASTS WHICH NOW HAVE EYE OF IRENE
COMING THRU THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS LATE SATURDAY BEFORE
GRAZING THE DELMARVA AND NEW JERSEY THEN MOVING INTO THE NORTHEAST
ON SUNDAY. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD BE EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE WITH
MASSIVE DISRUPTIONS TO SOCIETY AND COMMERCE ALONG ITS ENTIRE TRACK
WITH VERY HIGH WINDS/STORM SURGE/OCEAN OVERWASH/BEACH
EROSION/SOUND AND BAY SIDE COASTAL FLOODING AND EXTREME TIDE
POTENTIAL. WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAINS IN THE 6-10 INCH RANGE WILL BE
COMMON WITH GREATLY INCREASED INLAND FLOOD POTENTIAL. REFER TO THE
NHC FOR THE LATEST FORECAST OF IRENE ALONG WITH LOCAL NWS
WARNINGS/STATEMENTS AND ADVISORIES FROM NC INTO NEW ENGLAND."

This is a potentially very dangerous situation unfolding. I am meeting with the local Emergency Management officials this evening to review our plans and ensure that we're ready - or as ready as we can be - to ride out the storm.

Again - I cannot stress this enough - you need to ensure that you review your own personal Emergency Management Plan. Review your emergency kits. Make sure that you have enough non-perishable canned food and water on hand to carry you through a few days where services may be interrupted. Are your vehicles fueled? Check your yards. It's summer time. Chances are you have outdoor furniture or other decorations that will blow away in periods of heavy winds. I'm going to go back to my Navy days and say that all "gear adrift" (patio furniture, umbrellas, garbage cans, outdoor decorations, flags, etc.) should be secured someplace indoors. If that's not possible, ensure that it's tied down in such a manner as to not blow away and create a potential hazard. If you have them - check your sump pumps for proper operation. Do you have a backup generator? Do you have fuel for it? Please remember - DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OPERATE AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR INDOORS.

There will be more updates in the coming days. Call or drop a note if you have any questions. Thanks!

Hurricane Irene, and an Earthquake

In case you've been living under a rock (no reference to the Geico commercial), Hurricane Irene is projected to come up the eastern seaboard this weekend, bringing with it potentially damaging winds and flooding rains.

I have scheduled a meeting on Thursday evening with the Emergency Management Team to review our plans and make sure that we, as a Borough are prepared for whatever Mother Nature may toss our way. Think back a few years to Hurricane Ivan - remember what happened then.

I'll be in touch after that meeting. In the meantime, it might not be a bad idea to review your own emergency plans - and take an inventory of your emergency supplies (canned goods, batteries, water, etc.) to make sure that you are prepared.

PS - did anyone feel the earthquake today? That was, in my opinion, pretty darn cool.

Mark Your Calendars! Some Important Dates . . .

FAMILY DAY: Sunday - August 14, 2011. Further details will be announced in the coming days - most likely you will be receiving a flyer in your door / on your doorstep.

ANNUAL YARD SALE: Gather up your belongings and get the tables ready. The Tatamy Borough-Wide Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2011.

SEPTEMBER BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 (Monday is Labor Day).