Hurricane Irene: Mayor Warns, 'Do Not Try to Drive During the Storm'

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio has a warning for township residents.

"Avoid unnecessary travel. Do not try to drive in the storm," he said in a statement.

The mayor's office says Barberio has been in meetings with police and Office of Emergency Management officials all day to prepare for and keep abreast of Hurricane Irene.

In a release, Barberio referred to National Weather Service warnings that areas commonly affected by heavy rains—and areas adjacent to them—should expect flooding. The mayor said Parsippany's likely areas of impact include New Road residences, businesses and apartment complexes including Partridge Run and Rutgers Village; Lower Edwards and South Edwards roads; the Rockaway Neck section of the township and lower Lake Hiawatha.

The mayor said residents should also expect:

• Road closures due to flooding and downed trees
• Power outages from downed trees and utility poles
• Longer than normal delays in restoring power due to utility company manpower and the vast area the storm will affect.

He recommended that residents and business owners in flood-prone areas and low-lying areas next to to these zones prepare for flooding using the following checklists;

Prepare:

• Battery powered radio with NWS, if not, 101.5 FM for New Jersey
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (planters, bicycles, patio furniture).
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible to keep food fresh longer in the event of a power outage.
• Turn off propane tanks and secure them.
• Turn off small appliances.
• Create an evacuation plan with a rendezvous point in case of emergency.
• Take special consideration for family members with special needs such as wheelchairs (some need batteries), medications (Insulin needs to be kept cold), electric-powered oxygen units.
• Be sure to pack for pets (food and supplies). 

SUPPLIES:

• Five days' supply of water, one gallon per person per day. Fill gallon-size Ziploc-type bags or pitchers before the storm. You do not need to spend a lot of money to do this.
• Five days' supply of non-perishable food for entire family (Babies too).
• Flashlight and radio with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Seven days' supply of medications (hearing aid batteries, contact lens supplies)
• Sanitation and hygiene items
• Bottle of bleach
• Extra cash
• Copies of personal documents (especially in flood-prone areas)
• Family contact information
• Map of area
• Baby supplies (diapers, bottles, sippy cups)
• Extra set of car and house keys
• Rain gear

The mayor had another piece of advice for people in flood-prone settings. 

"Do not park your vehicle in an area [where] water normally accumulates, and make sure your gas tank is full," he said.

Barberio said the municipality will make information on the storm and shelter sites available at several official locations:

1. Township website
2. Parsippany Police website
3. Parsippany Police Phone 973-263-4300 (Press Option "1" to speak with a Dispatcher for updated community notifications.
4. You can be notified of evacuation information through the REVERSE 9-1-1 phone system, email, Facebook and Twitter. To receive alerts and community information via email, go towww.ParPolice.com. In the right margin, click on "Join Our Mailing List."