(Toms River) – Ocean County residents will always remember the power and devastation left behind by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the more than 145 lives it took. Now as we head into the month of July, we find ourselves right smack in the heart of another hurricane season and with the need to be ready for Mother Nature’s next potential punch.
“Just because a few seasons have gone by without a storm the magnitude of Sandy, doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. Firsthand experience has taught us we must be prepared for hurricanes, severe weather and flooding at anytime time of the season – even if there is currently no threat,” says Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.
Your preparation plan should include the following before and during a hurricane threat:
BEFORE –
DURING –
Little continued, “Keep in mind that once the storm is over, the threat of danger isn’t. There are still many potential public health and safety concerns after storm impact you need to think about in order to stay out of harm’s way.”
Common hazards AFTER a hurricane include:
Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator, Daniel E. Regenye adds, “All of these are good tips to keep in mind and have in your plan. Always be prepared for the three phases – before, during and after the storm. One day a thorough disaster plan may save the lives of you and your loved ones so don’t wait till the last moment or put it off another year.”
Visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov to download a detailed hurricane preparedness guide and checklist. If you have any questions regarding any of these tips please check out the Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org or follow us on Twitter@OCpublichealth or like us on Facebook. Also, please check out our new website at www.phu2.org, to access and learn more about our Public Health is You Too! campaign to help equip you to take simple steps to improve your health.