Brick Officials Prepare for Irene

Brick officials got to work Friday preparing for Hurricane Irene.

Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis told Brick Patch that crews began shoring up the dunes at Brick Beach III, placing a berm that will protect from the wrath of the oncoming hurricane, which is in New Jersey with wind speeds between 75 and 100 m.p.h.

"As every mayor I've heard so far has said, 'we're preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,'" said Acropolis.

The mayor also said township public works crews have been filling tandem trucks with sand in case sandbagging is needed at some point. The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority has also had its crews hard at work ensuring pump stations were secured before the storm.

Additionally, Acropolis said, the township has secured the services of private contractors that own various pieces of heavy equipment, in case a need for it arises during or after Irene pummels Brick.

But there has yet to be a mandatory evacuation called. According to police officials, a voluntary evacuation is in effect for the barrier island section of town as well as any low-lying, flood-prone areas. According to Brick Police Capt. John Rein, the township has not named specific neighborhoods which should evacuate, besides the barrier island.

"We really are suggesting people on the barrier island find some place to go inland," Acropolis said.

Officials will be in meetings throughout the day to monitor the storm and the township preparation effort, Acropolis said. The township will open shelters if needed, and will probably utilize schools, according to the mayor. For now, Brick residents in need of shelter can utilize the county shelters at the Poland Springs Arena in Toms River, at High School North.

Additionally, the township has set up an emergency call center that will be manned throughout the storm, as long as phone lines are up and running. Evacuation information, public works requests and non-emergency service calls can be placed to the call center. The number is 732-262-1234.

"We're as ready as we can be," Acropolis said.