Union County, NJ – With Hurricane Sandy still on track to hit the Union County area by Monday, the Freeholder Board is urging residents to take steps to prepare this weekend.
“Union County will be at the ready with personnel and equipment, and everyone can help our community get through this safely by taking a few simple steps,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
Mirabella reminded County residents that basic steps include stocking up on a few days’ worth of food and water, including ready-to-eat food. Persons using prescription drugs or medical equipment should check those supplies, too.
Because strong winds are predicted, it is also important to bring trash cans, plastic lawn furniture and other items inside or take extra precautions to secure them.
Additional guidance from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is available at the “Be Prepared for Hurricane Sandy” link on the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.
“Follow the news closely this weekend and make sure you have a battery-operated radio with fresh batteries at hand,” said Mirabella. “When more people are well prepared, that frees up our first responders to focus on worst-case situations that require special training and equipment.”
Union County residents will automatically receive alerts by telephone, as needed. For those with mobile devices, alerts by text message and email can be obtained by signing up for UC FirstAlert at ucfirstalert.org.
For Union County alerts and updates online, visit ucnj.org or follow Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, or Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.
Union County residents are also reminded to call 911 only to report life threatening emergencies.
To report power outages, PSE&G customers should call 800-436-PSEG (800-436-7734). For JCP&L the number is 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877).