Hurricane Predicted for New Jersey and East Coast

Emergency officials say New Jersey residents's primary concern isn't the Virginia earthquake that shook the entire East Coast—a reported hurricane could be headed this way in a few days.

The National Weather Service reports that Hurricane Irene—which already has rolled through the Bahamas—is expected to land in North Carolina by Saturday and then travel northward.

According to the AccuWeather website, Irene could "flirt with the Delmarva [peninsula] and New Jersey and then on to eastern Long Island and southeastern New England."

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management said via its website that the threat may be heaviest for shore areas, which could experience tidal and storm surge flooding.

NJOEM offers these tips to make sure you are ready in the case a hurricane hits.

• Make an Emergency Go-Bag, which includes items such as, bottled water, battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries, non-perishable foods, and necessary prescription drugs.  Remember to include extra cash in the event ATMs are not working.  
• Make a Family Emergency Plan, which will ensure your family members know where to go, whom to contact, and how to remain in contact should family members become separated during an emergency event.  
• Remember to maintain at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.

Stick close to Parsippany Patch on the Web or via your iPhone or Android phone to stay informed as storm news develops.