Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches in Effect

The National Weather Service out of Mount Holly has officially issued a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Watch.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Cape May County, the barrier islands and areas east of Rt. 9, including parts of Galloway Township, specifically Smithville, Shanece Avenue, and in the area of the Seaview. Evacuations of the areas east of Rt. 9 and the barrier islands as of Friday at 6 a.m.

Other areas of Atlantic County asked to evacuate include Brigantine, Pleasantville, Northfield, Somers Point and Atlantic City.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Atlantic, Gloucester, Ocean, Cape May and Cumberland counties in New Jersey. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for parts of Delaware.

At 5 p.m., the the center of the hurricane was located 830 miles south of Cape May. The intensity was listed at 115 miles an hour by the National Weather Service.

It is expected to bring between 6 and 12 inches of rainfall when it hits New Jersey this weekend.

Currently, thunderstorms unrelated to Irene are bombarding the area. They are expected to hit Pomona and Port Republic at 6:45 p.m. Another strong thunderstorm is currently in Cumberland County, and is expected to hit parts of Atlantic County later tonight.

Galloway Township Director of Emergency Management Michael Brandenberger is advising township residents to visit family and friends in other areas this weekend.

"Now is a good time to take a vacation," Brandenberger said. "I strongly urge residents to secure their homes and visit friends and family out of state or in the northern or western portions of the state this weekend."

However, Atlantic County hasn't issued mandatory evacuation orders at this time.

Atlantic County emergency officials have been monitoring Hurricane Irene's path, and are preparing for possible impact from the storm, which is projected to strike the area this weekend. This includes heavy rains, strong winds and coastal flooding.

“Take the time to prepare now so you can ensure the safety of you and your family later,” Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said in a statement issued late Wednesday.

On Thursday, Assemblymen Vince Polistina and John Amodeo added their voices to those raising concern.

“According to the latest reports, weather conditions in our area will begin to deteriorate Saturday evening with the storm’s full impact being felt Sunday with heavy rains, flooding and damaging winds expected,” Amodeo said. “We cannot stress enough that residents, especially those living on our barrier islands and anywhere along the coast, begin securing their homes, boats and property today.”

“Everyone living along the Jersey coast needs to take this hurricane very seriously,” Polistina said. “‘Batten down the hatches’ may sound cliché, but it’s very wise counsel. Latest projections have Irene heading for the Jersey Shore once it passes the Carolinas. As with any storm of this kind, its exact path is difficult to pinpoint, but we know we will experience at the very least heavy rains and strong winds. It’s better to be prepared and the storm pass with minimal impact than to find yourself in a potentially life-threatening situation with no recourse.”

Officials from AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center have been meeting with local, regional and state emergency preparedness officials and monitoring Hurricane Irene all week, AtlantiCare Director of Public Relations Jennifer Tornetta said early Thursday evening.

"We are following our hurricane preparedness plan," Tornetta said. "This includes ensuring we have staffing, food and supplies to last several days and that patients are safe and comfortable.

"AtlantiCare Home Care and AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Hospice have been alerting patients in their homes to be prepared for a Hurricane and ensuring they have the medications and equipment they need."

"The hurricane is going to come very close to New Jersey," Brandenberger said. "People need to protect their homes and be ready to evacuate.

"(Residents) should be preparing now. Everyone should be securing loose objects and anything that could be potential flying debris."

Residents are urged to make preparations early, including maintaining disaster supply kits, creating and reviewing family emergency plans, making plans for pets and those with special needs and securing items that may be affected by strong winds.

The National Hurricane Center advises the following should be placed in a disaster supply kit:

Water: at least one gallon daily per person for three to seven days;

Food: non-perishable packaged or canned food/juices, foods for infants or the elderly, snack foods, non-electric can opener, cooking tools/fuel and paper plates/plastic utensils for three to seven days;

Blankets and Pillows;

Clothing: Season, rain gear, sturdy shoes;

First Aid Kit, Medicines and Prescription Drugs;

Special Items: for babies and the elderly;

Toiletries, Hygiene Items and Moisture Wipes;

A Flashlight with Batteries;

A Radio with Batteries and NOAA;

Toys, Books, Games; and

Pet Care Items: proper identification, immunization records, medication, an ample supply of food and water, a carrier/cage, muzzle and a leash.

County officials also remind residents to keep evacuation routes in mind, including the Atlantic City Expressway, the Garden State Parkway, U.S. Route 9, the Black Horse and White Horse pikes, State routes 50 and 87, and County routes 559, alt. 559 and alt. 561.

Brandenberger said shelters will be set up, but locations will not be announced until it is clear where the hurricane will hit. It is possible designated shelters will not be set up in Atlantic County, or "anywhere east of Hammonton," Brandenberger said.

In the event that evacuation is necessary, the county has posted its evacuation routes online at www.ReadyAtlantic.org/act/evaczones.asp.

The list of radio stations to pay attention to in the event of an evacuation or other emergency can be accessed here.

Residents should also be aware of the storm’s route, county officials warn. Registering at the county’s emergency web site, www.ReadyAtlantic.org, ensures residents can receive information and alerts on their phones through the Emergency Notification System.

“It is a valuable resource that enables us to quickly and efficiently alert specific populations or the entire county of emergency situations,” Levinson said.

The assemblymen, noting that this storm is the strongest to threaten the mid-Atlantic in decades, voiced concern that residents won’t take the storm warnings seriously.

“Right now, apathy is our biggest threat,” Amodeo said.