Hurricane Irene

NJ Officials Hurricane-Ready in Face of Increase in Predictions

Emergency management workers encourage residents to be prepared

The Atlantic Hurricane basin is highly active this weekend, and perhaps no one is more worried than the employees of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Late Friday, Tropical Storm Harvey was upgraded from a Tropical Depression by the National Hurricane Center. While Harvey is forecast to remain in South America, there is plenty of other tropical action waiting in the wings. At least two tropical waves in the Atlantic have more than a 40 percent chance of tropical development, according to the National Hurricane center this weekend. Back at home, we've seen plenty of record setting heat waves this summer. So with over two months left in the Atlantic Hurricane Season, it's no wonder that some are nervous about what the remainder …

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Police, First Responders Praised for Storm Response

Police, emergency workers credited with keeping things under control after severe storm

Elected officials praised the work of the township's emergency responders in the wake of a severe storm that rolled through the area last Friday. Police, firefighters and medics responded to a total of 110 calls, 70 police calls and 40 fire calls, after a powerful line of storms passed through Brick, downing trees, flooding roads and damaging buildings. An additional situation arose at Ocean Medical Center after the hospital lost power. While no evacuations were ordered, the hospital's air conditioning systems failed and the Brick police department set up a mobile command center outside the facility. The glitch in the hospital's backup power system was eventually traced to a fault in the fuel delivery system, Council President Brian DeLuca…

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Storm Rolls Through Brick: Hospital Loses Power, PD Gets 70 Calls

Police directing traffic at several major intersections

A storm system that began rolling through Brick just after 7 p.m. Friday night flooded roads and knocked out electricity to homes, businesses and traffic lights. Ocean Medical Center was also affected by the storm. The hospital, located on Jack Martin Boulevard, lost power and experienced generator problems according to Brick Police Capt. John Rein. Hospital officials asked for assistance with restoring power, but there was no need for evacuations, according to hospital officials. Reports that lightning struck the hospital were unfounded, hospital spokespeople said, and backup generators kept everything except for the facility's air conditioning systems working. Portable air conditioners were brought in to help keep several floors cooled. …

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VIDEO: Fast-Moving Storm Rolls In Over Barnegat Bay

Scenes as a mid-afternoon thunderstorm rolled through Brick

Ocean County dodged much of the wicked weather that plagued North Jersey Wednesday, but a quick-moving thunderstorm probably cramped beach plans for those who wanted to take advantage of the mild temperatures. According to the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, additional thunderstorms are still possible through 8 p.m., as well as a passing shower. Clouds – and a chance of showers – will remain through 11 p.m., then skies will begin to clear. Friday is looking like a much better day, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 70.

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High Wind Warning in Effect Through Midnight

Quick-building thunderstorms a possibility this afternoon

A high wind warning will be in effect for the entire state from 2 p.m. today, Friday, through midnight as a low-pressure system lingers in the area, according to forecasters. Steady west winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected in the shore area later today, with potentially damaging gusts up to 60 mph, said Kristin Kline, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly Station. That’s strong enough to take down branches and damage power lines. A gale warning is in effect for the coastal areas of Ocean and Monmouth counties, and a storm watch – meaning even higher winds are possible ­– remains until late tonight, Kline said.  Heavy rain is also possible for parts of the state, Kline said, mostly throughout the rest of the morning. …

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Crews Treat Roads as Snow Begins to Fall, No Early Dismissal for Brick Schools

County crews were out by 7 a.m.

Weather conditions are not following forecasters’ scripts, complicating efforts to clear ice and snow from 620 miles of Ocean County highways. In Brick, the school district announced Wednesday morning that after school activities would be canceled and the Kindergarten Wrap-Around program would close at 4:30 p.m. No early dismissals were announced, however. What began as snow was supposed to change over to rain as temperatures climbed, but by mid-morning it was still snowing all over the county, according to Road Supervisor Stephen F. Childers. As a result, he said the Road Department received complaints of icy conditions on some county roads early in the morning. “The lady who was screaming at me on the phone’’ complained about Hooper …

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Acropolis: Employees Who Called Out Sick After Blizzard Will Be Interviewed

Of the 11 employees who called out sick, six came in late, two produced doctors' notes and three have yet to be interviewed

The 11 public works employees who called out sick a day after the Dec. 26 blizzard will be interviewed to determine whether they were eligible to take a sick day. Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said this week that officials haven’t begun the formal process of interviewing the employees yet, but they will have to explain why they didn’t come to work on time during an emergency. In the wake of the blizzard, which dumped 34 inches of snow on the township, a total of 11 employees called out sick the morning of Dec. 28. The number of employees who called out sick eventually led to speculation that the workers called out on purpose as a job action to protest potential layoffs that could come later this year. Union officials have categorically denied…

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Brick Trash Collection, OCC, Libraries Among Jan. 13 Delays, Cancellations

An updated list of announced closures, cancellations and postponements due to tonight's forecast storm

Here is an ongoing list of local alerts, due to the snow:

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Garbage, Rec Activities Among Brick Cancellations

Township activities also canceled due to the forecast snow storm

As a storm that could dump just under a foot of snow inched closer to the region, Brick officials began the process of canceling township services and activities and preparing to remove the predicted snow. The township announced Tuesday afternoon that it would cancel garbage and recycling pickup for Wednesday, Jan. 12. Collections of trash and recyclables will be moved back one day for all residents for the remainder of the week, township officials said. Additionally, all school buildings will be closed at 7 p.m. and school activities canceled Tuesday night. All rec sports programs and B-Mac basketball activities for Tuesday night have been canceled as well. The township's Recreation Department has already announced it will cancel …

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