Hurricane Irene: Parsippany Police Are on the Case

As residents wait to see what happens if and when Hurricane Irene makes its appearance in New Jersey, the Parsippany Police Department is working to make sure it is ready to meet the storm.

Ptlm. Earl Kinsey, a department spokesperson, said police officials are meeting throughout the day with the township's Office of Emergency Management.

"Right now we are in the public information stage," Kinsey said. "preparing vehicles, barriers, flares, emergency generators  and supplies."

Kinsey said police officials, with the mayor, ultimately will decide which buildings will be made available to the public as evacuation centers if they are required. He added police will announce shelter sites and evacuation routes when and if they are deemed necessary.

Additionally, Kinsey warned residents that if the storm does what forecasters predict, they will need to be patient.

"Due to the large area that will be hit," he said, "if there are any power outages, response will be delayed."

The patrolman added that areas that normally experience flooding should expect it this weekend. If you live near one of those areas, you too should expect flooding.

He shared other tips as well.

"You don't have to go out and buy bottled water. Pitchers and gallon-size Ziploc bags work just fine if filled from your tap before a water treatment issue occurs," he said. "An old landline type phone that you do not have to plug in to an electrical socket should be put aside in the event of a major power outage.

"Emergency services have been preparing and will be standing by to assist you in the event of an emergency," he said as reassurance. "We are all in this together."