Community Corner

Toms River Readies for Hurricane Sandy

Toms River OEM says cooperation key among agencies

With some forecasts calling for Hurricane Sandy's land fall to hit Toms River, local officials said they are closely monitoring the storm and are busy preparing.

Toms River Office of Emergency Management Director Paul Daley said it's the good working relationship between Toms River Regional Schools, fire and EMS companies, police and township administration that aids in the days preparing for a storm.

"The way Toms River works is we can call a meeting at any time to brief everyone on the progress of the storms and everyone’s job responsibility," Daley said.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Whatever the storm brings, current staff have the experience preparing for and responding to it, Daley said.

"Toms River is in an excellent position due to the fact all emergency services, Police, Fire, and EMS have a great working relationship and all of the players have been through numerous events," Daley said.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Daley urged residents to clear storm drains of debris. Falling leaves blocking sewer drains could acerbate flooding, and clearing the drains of leaves is one step that could help, Daley said.

So far, no public messages beyond basic preparation have been issued. Residents are urged to stock up on essentials and begin hurricane readiness. No orders to evacuate have been issued and no cancellations or closures have been announced as of Friday morning for the storm, which some forecasts call for Sunday rain and heaviest storm Monday into Tuesday.

Daley urged residents to stay tuned to news media as the storm nears.

"I ask that the public be vigilante and listen to the local radio stations, continue to monitor Toms River Patch and be ready to deal with whatever may arise," Daley said.

The storm is being compared to Hurricane Irene, which in the days after the storm found Toms River residents grappling with power outages. The Toms River flooded, evacuating about a dozen residents, and low-lying areas also grappled with flooding, such as Silver Bay, the Bay Shore, downtown Toms River, Winding River, Shelter Cove, Pelican Island, Ortley Beach and the barrier island communities.


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