Township Says It Fared Well After Irene Thanks to Department Preparedness

Manalapan Township is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Irene, but generally fared very well during the hurricane with no loss of life to the township.

The Manalapan Township Office of Emergency Management team (OEM), the police and fire departments, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Department of Public Works all responded during and after the destruction of Hurricane Irene within the township. The Office of Emergency Management, headed by Chief Richard Hogan, prepared in advance for the storm and heeded the warnings of the New Jersey governor.

“The coordination, cooperation, and exemplary professionalism of all the volunteer and Township staff made execution of ensuring public safety a marked success. I am extremely proud of each person involved in this operation,” Hogan said.

The CERT provided shelter for residents who needed it during the storm at the Manalapan Senior Center (Recovery One) if and when the residents’ homes were deemed unsafe due to flooding, fallen trees, power outages, or any other dangerous situation. The Senior Center was a safe haven Saturday night, housing 24 residents and providing them with food and cots, according to Kim Silverstein the MRC/CERT coordinator. 

The OEM fielded 321 calls during the storm, the most dramatic of which was a call from a stranded resident on Sobecko Road. A rescue team, deployed by the fire department, used inflatable boats to where the area was 6 feet deep. 

“The Fire Department deployed its Water Rescue Team, using inflatable boats, to the area where the water depth was approximately 6 feet. “The Department of Public Works made the first rescue attempt using their front-end loader but the water was too deep even for this massive piece of equipment,” a press release issued by the OEM said. There were 10 homeowner water rescues due to the storm, in total. 

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the emergency service personnel: Police, dispatchers, fire, first aid, public works CERT and all of the others for their hard work and dedication that they put in every day, but especially how they all pulled together during the hurricane response to ensure the safety and security of the community,” Lou Moreto, Manalapan Township, Acting Chief of Police and OEM 1st Deputy Coordinator said. “They did an outstanding job.” 

Cleanup continues in Manalapan Township and will continue until all the roads and debris are cleared. The Township is asking that all residents place their storm-related debris on the curb for the Department of Public Works to collect, before Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Manalapan residents are still reporting power outages in some areas. If you still have not had your power restored and are a customer of JCP&L, the company has set up an agreement with supermarkets throughout the state to provide free ice and water for those still without power. JCP&L customers should go to the courtesy desk at the supermarket and explain that they are a JCP&L customer that is still without power as a result of Hurricane Irene. While no supermarkets within the township are participating, the closest ones are:

• Acme Supermarket, 3241 Rt. 9, Freehold
• Norkus Foodtown, 597 Park Ave., Freehold
• ShopRite, 260 County Line Rd., Jackson
• Acme Supermarket, 616 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft