Avalon Orders Mandatory Evacuation by Sunday 4 p.m.

AVALON—The Avalon Office of Emergency Management, under the direction of Mayor Martin Pagliughi, has ordered the mandatory evacuation of the Borough before Sunday, October 28th at 4:00pm. The evacuation order has been issued by the department in advance of a potential direct hit of Hurricane Sandy during the next 36 hours.
All barrier island towns must be evacuated by 4 p.m. Sunday.
Hurricane Sandy is expected to bring hurricane-force winds, several inches of rain, and the potential for significant flooding to the Borough of Avalon. Residents and property owners are strongly urged to secure your properties immediately and prepare for the possibility of an extended evacuation. It is possible that access to the Borough of Avalon will be impossible for a few, to several days. Landfall is expected to occur along the New Jersey coastline Monday into Tuesday morning.
The Avalon Office of Emergency Management strongly suggests that residents heed the evacuation order and leave the Borough by Sunday afternoon. Last year’s Hurricane Irene event was much different than the approaching Hurricane Sandy. This storm will bring significant rainfall and the potential for coastal flooding that Avalon has never experienced. It is possible that electrical service will be interrupted for several days and travel through the community may be impossible. On Saturday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie issued a State of Emergency for the entire State of New Jersey.
Here are immediate steps that Avalon residents are being asked to follow:
-Put fuel in your evacuation vehicle. Long lines may occur at fuel stations throughout the southern shore region.
-Take essentials with you that would provide sustainability for one week, including one week’s worth of clothing, linens, bedding, and medicines.
-If you have a “safe haven” to visit like a friend or relative’s home, make contact and tell them you are coming.
-Be sure to have cellular phones and computers fully charged and bring chargers with you.
-Secure all objects outside of your property and bring them inside, including trash cans, chairs, tables, and umbrellas.
-If you plan on visiting a shelter, please bring any medicines in their original prescription bottles. Bring your own pillows and linens, and comfortable clothes.
The Borough of Avalon operates its own designated shelter and provides transportation to the shelter in the event the shelter is activated for a mandatory evacuation. There is information about the Avalon shelter on the Borough’s emergency management website, www.avalonemergency.org. The shelter is available for Avalon residents who do not have a safe haven or the means and ability to evacuate themselves.
Avalon Borough Hall will be closed Monday and Tuesday, October 29th and 30th. Trash and recycling collection conducted by Waste Management scheduled to begin on Monday has been suspended until further notice. The Avalon Department of Public Works has a courtesy trash and recycling drop off center at 15th Street and Dune Drive that is open for your convenience. The Avalon Free Public Library will close on Saturday at 3:00pm and remain closed through at least Tuesday, October 30th. Avalon’s Trunk or Treat event has been postponed.
Avalon will provide continuous updates on its state of the art emergency management website, www.avalonemergency.org; on ShoreTV Channel 2 for Comcast customers; on the Official Facebook Page for the Borough of Avalon; on 1630AM radio; and via reverse 9-1-1 emergency phone calls via Global Connect.