NJOEM Warns of Potential Weekend Flooding

New Jersey State Police Headquarters, Trenton, NJ – Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, is advising of a flood watch from Friday evening into Saturday evening.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring an approaching rainstorm, which could result in elevated water levels, flash flooding and heavy winds. Colonel Fuentes is advising state residents and commuters to prepare for the possibility of minor to moderate flooding in river communities located throughout northern regions of the Garden State. The following are some basic flood safety tips:

WHEN DRIVING

• NEVER ignore barriers that warn of flooded or dangerous roads!
• AVOID areas that are already flooded, and areas that are subject to flooding. Seek higher ground.
• NEVER try to drive through swift water. The depth of water is not always obvious. The roadbed may be washed out, leaving a deep pit.
• If your vehicle stalls or is suddenly caught in rising water, LEAVE IT IMMEDIATELY and seek higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempting to move a stalled vehicle during a flood.
• DO NOT park or camp your vehicle along streams and washes, especially during threatening conditions.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers

WHEN ON FOOT

• If you come upon a flowing stream where the water is higher than your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
• Seek higher ground. NEVER try to walk or swim through swift water.
• Children must NEVER play in floodwater! Keep them away from drainage outlets and storm water retention basins.
• Remember that floodwaters may also cause health hazards due to contamination or electricity.

As with other types of emergencies, you should prepare yourself and your family by creating an Emergency Supply Kit.

• Your Kit includes items that will help you stay self-sufficient for up to three days (food, water, prescription medications, batteries, etc.), if needed.
• Your Plan includes evacuation plans, a place to reunite with loved ones, and an out-of-state contact person.

Store important documents and irreplaceable personal objects (such as photographs) where they won't get damaged. If major flooding is expected, consider putting them in a storage facility.

Know your area's flood risk. If unsure, contact your Local or County Office of Emergency Management, local Planning and Zoning Office, or local American Red Cross chapter. Everyone lives in a flood zone!

Stay Tuned: Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your local radio and television stations for weather updates, Storm Watches or Warnings, and emergency instructions from public safety Officials. Remember: A battery-powered radio is a vital part of your Emergency Supply Kit.

If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.

QUICK FACTS:

• Water weighs 62.4 lbs. per cubic foot and typically flows downstream at 6 to 12 mph.
• When a vehicle stalls in water, the water's momentum is transferred to the car. For each foot water rises, 500 pounds of lateral force are applied to the car.
• But the biggest factor is buoyancy. For each foot that water rises up the side of the car, the car displaces 1500 pounds of water. In effect, the car weighs 1500 lbs. less for each foot water rises.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUVs and pickups.

For more flood info please log on to: http://www.ready.nj.gov/plan/flood.html or dial 211

OTHER WEB SITES FOR INFORMATION

General Information Preparedness www.state.nj.us/njoem/plan/flood.html

Local OEM Contacts www.state.nj.us/njoem/about/association.html

Flash Flood Definition www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

Definitions: Flood Watch, Flash Flood Watch, Flood Warning, Flash Flood Warning www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_terms.shtm

Preparing for a flood www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_before.shtm

Tips during a flood www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_during.shtm

Flood and Flash flood information www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html