Disaster: Blizzard Unleashes Its Rage On The Northeast
Highways Closed, Public Transit Stopped as Storm Intensifies
Merchantville, NJ
Blizzard pummels Northeast United States AGAIN. Local business owners are being left out in the cold this past week as we get hit with back to back snow storms as this Nor’easter Blizzard continues it’s cycle of intense rage.
As the amount of snow dropped on this region increased, New Jersey officials had to take action by closing already known dangerous roads and highways.
New Jersey Transit suspended bus service at 7pm until further notice. Click here for up to the minute news on NJ Transit re-opening. Click Here to sign up for NJ Transit Travel Alerts via email or text. Any major important changes they will email or text message you to notify of the ever increasing changes of travel during these winter storms.
The New Jersey State Police reported over 400 accidents and over 750 reorted calls for HELP since 9:45 pm Tuesday.
photo courtesy: nj.com
Many departments such as Emergency Management and the 911 Call Centers increased their staffing to help the increases of needs during this blizzard.
There have been many reports of power outages in NJ not only during this storm but last saturday’s as well in which there was over 80,000 reports of homes without power. This current storm is responsible for over 35,000 power outages throught the state.
Many homes and businesses are experiencing roof collapses. During Snow Storms of this magnitude it is extremely important to remove the snow off your roof to prevent such a disaster occuring. Not only for the damage that a roof collapse will cause but additionally the possibility of multiple deaths. A roof can collapse at any time, even in the middle of the night while you and your loved ones are asleep. There are NO WARNINGS for this, it happens and more frewquently than you know. The snow will also cause for water, from melt, to get through your shingles it will backup and travel under the shingle and under the tar paper. This will weaken your roof as well and additionally it may do it in a place that you don’t see, such as in the wall and it will weaken the frame over time.
Disaster and Emergency Preparedness is important, ALL the time in ALL the seasons for ALL the right reasons. We must be proactive when it comes to disaster and emergency preparedness.To be reactive, number one, it is too late, because number two being reactive includes first aid kits, medical personnel and sometimes body bags.
Red Cross Shelters Offer Security, Warmth During The Storm (Click to read Red Cross Full Article)
The Red Cross had 30 shelters open Tuesday night in Indiana, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland with more than 300 residents and travelers escaping the latest onslaught of wind and snow.
Check your local American Red Cross Chapter to find open shelters. (Click Here)
As always I like to remind everyone that the American Red Cross needs our support. They have many, many services that you are not even aware exist and they are at every local, national or international disaster aiding the victims and working with officials in the solutions. They provide Blood Services and Military Services as well. So if you have a couple extra dollars then Click Here and you
Clara Barton's Birthplace Wikipedia.org
will be redirected to THEIR donation page where you can choose donate to the cause of your choice, whether it be for Haiti, or to the American Disaster Relief Fund or to the Services to the Armed Forces etc. If you are going to donate4 your hard erned money, or even your easy earned money (ha ha) this is the organization to give to, they are a blessing to America and the world. To think it all started back in 1873 when Clara Barton returned from Europe and working with the International Committee of the Red Cross which helped victims of war. Ms. Barton succeeded in getting the American Red Cross approved while President Garfield was in office and she had argued that the American Red Cross can be of more help than just that of the war. Bless you Ms. Barton
From what I have been told there are still about 65,000 without power btetween the storm of last Saturday and last night as well as today.
It is necessary to bring up for those that have to drive to keep in mind a few items of thought:
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Decrease your speed
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Start to stop sooner than normal
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Keep your lights on
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Clean the snow from your lights, taillights as well
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Get all snow and ice off your windows
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Make sure your cell phone is charged fully
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Make sure there is Air in the spare, highway flares, flashlight etc.
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Travel well traveled roads, in case of breakdown you dont want to be stranded
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When arriving at your destination, pull your wipers off the windshield
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Be sure to have some lock de-ice and keep it in your pocket or purse, not in glovebox
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If you have doors that freeze closed due to the weatherstripping try some vaseline
These are just a few things. Being Disaster Prepared means to be prepared in all situations. It is even a good idea if you have to drive, then have a blanket in the car as well as perhaps a sandwhich and a jug of water. The whole thing is that you don’t want to experience the first time of a bad situation. Forget about the second because if you experience a bad situation you won’t let it happen again. That is why I always say; It is the first time that you don’t want to experience.
| Snow!? Again!? |
American Red Cross
Right “Click Here” and “Save Target As” to download
The American Red Cross Winter Storm Checklist PDF
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