COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Freeholder Vice-Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. reminds residents that the 2009 Hurricane season runs through November 30, 2009 and in the month of September Cape May County normally sees heavy storm activity.
The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management advises all Cape May County residents and visitors to plan and prepare for potential tropical summer storms. The hurricane season usually runs from June 1 through November 30. Freeholder Sheets said, “As evidenced in the past and most notably Hurricane Katrina this time frame can vary. The peak time for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey runs from mid-August through the end of October.”
The combination of warm ocean water, humid air and consistent winds contribute to the formation of “tropical cyclones” – low-pressure systems of circulating winds, clouds and thunderstorms – over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. As they gain strength, these cyclones are classified as tropical depressions, tropical storms or hurricanes. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale rates hurricane strengths, from Category 1 to Category 5. Most of these storms remain over the ocean without affecting the U.S. coastline. When they approach land, tropical storms and hurricanes can be extremely deadly and destructive – even as far north as New Jersey, and even when they do not make landfall.
The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management suggests the following readiness steps in preparation for Hurricane Season:
• “Get a Kit” of emergency supplies – the items that will help you stay self-sufficient for
up to three days
• “Make a Plan” for what you and your family will do during an emergency – this
includes knowing how to evacuate and how to Shelter-in-Place.
• “Stay Informed” during Hurricane Season. Tune into your local media outlets for the
latest breaking weather news. Include a battery powered radio in your kit.
Additionally, Cape May County Office of Emergency Management remains in constant communication with the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators as well as other county, state and federal partners. These relationships allow Cape May County to deliver vital information to the public as well as respond in a timely manner.
Cape May County Emergency Management Director Frank McCall said “We are committed and dedicated to planning and preparing for all storms during hurricane season and beyond. Once again this year, the Freeholders will host a Hurricane Preparedness Conference on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – right in the middle of Hurricane Season, as an effort to keep our community informed.”
For more information regarding Hurricane Season and how to properly prepare please visit capemaycountygov.net, www.ready.nj.gov/plan/hurricane-before.html or call
211.
Be a fan of Cape May County Government on Face Book and stay updated on the news and weather information that affects our community.
Avalon – Maybe deport them instead of destroying what was once a great city! This is ridiculous. New York City launched a pilot program to help migrants transition out of city shelters by providing them with…
