Irene-Related Tornado Watch Extended To Sunday

The National Weather Service has extended a tornado watch until 5 a.m. Sunday as Hurricane Irene approaches the Jersey Shore.

The watch, which means the conditions are favorable for tornados, is in effect for Monmouth and Ocean counties. Cape May and Atlantic counties have been under a tornado watch since Saturday morning.

The Shore area also remains under a hurricane warning and a flood warning. Hurricane Irene, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, is now packing winds of 80 m.p.h., still a category one storm. Irene was 230 miles south of Atlantic City at 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, and was moving north-northeast at 13 m.p.h.

An advisory from the hurricane center issued at 5 p.m. indicates that Irene will retain its hurricae strength for another 24 hours, meaning New Jersey could see hurricane force winds overnight and into Sunday morning.

There was also a risk for tidal flooding, the advisory said.

High tide Saturday night is at 9:25 p.m. in the Shrewsbury River behind Long Branch, 9:01 p.m. in Brielle and Point Pleasant Beach at the Route 35 bridge, 11:35 p.m. at the Mantoloking Bridge in Brick, 11:13 p.m. at Goose Creek in Toms River, 10:47 p.m. at Seaside Park (bay side), 10:37 p.m. at Oyster Creek in Lacey and 10:10 p.m. at Double Creek in Barnegat.

Meteorologist Steve DiMartino of NYNJPAWeather.com said Saturday that the storm would begin to produce hurricane conditions in the Shore area late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Those hurricane conditions will last through much of the day Sunday, with the brunt of the storm kicking up around 2 a.m. Sunday through the remainder of the morning hours.

~

The county's keys for readiness are as follows:

• Prepare –  Assemble a Kit of Emergency Supplies – Batteries, flashlight, radio, first-aid kit,  medications, food and water to last three or more days, can opener, cooking tools, toiletries.
• Create an Emergency Plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations.
• Stay Informed – Listen to local radio and television for the latest information on storms and other emergencies.  Review what warning sirens are used in your community to alert residents of major emergencies.

“Preparing for the worst makes dealing with it that much easier,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “The likelihood that you and your family will survive a nor’easter, hurricane or other emergency depends on the preparations that you make now.”

Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas Arnone has also stressed financial readiness.

“To bring your readiness to the next level you should prepare your finances and consider making yourself available to help your neighbors in an emergency,” Arnone said.

The county advises: "Consider your insurance and financial needs in the event of a disaster. Also, take time to prepare a household inventory. If an evacuation is necessary, be sure to have cash or credit cards at your disposal."

Emergency personnel also provided a number of recommendations for emergency supply kits. The list of items to include is as follows:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers

Additional items to consider adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children