Christie 10:15 Briefing

• Tweet

Morning after photos

Click photo for larger view

• Tweet

Governor Christie on Morning TV Providing Updates on Hurricane Sandy

• Tweet

Christie Administration Working with NRC to Monitor Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant During Hurriance Sandy

Trenton, NJ – The Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission are carefully monitoring the impacts Hurricane Sandy on operations at the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey Township, which last night suffered power outages, declared an “alert’’ due to rising water levels, and lost a portion of its warning alarm system.

Exelon’s Oyster Creek reactor, which was off-line prior to Sandy for previously scheduled refueling and maintenance operations, lost off-site power last night due to the storm. The plant is temporarily being powered by backup diesel generators and a combustion turbine engine, which are providing energy for water pumps that cool the fuel stored in the reactor until normal power sources are restored.

Also last night, even though Oyster Creek is off-line Exelon was required under NRC regulations to report to the NRC and DEP an “alert’’ that occurred at 8:45 p.m. due to rising water levels in its canal that provides cooling water to the plant’s intake system. The rising levels were the result of high tides, wind direction and storm surge that were caused by the storm. The notification of an “alert’’ is the second lowest NRC action level.

The NRC in a statement noted that Oyster Creek remains in“safe condition,’’ with agency inspectors on site. “It also anticipates that water levels will abate within the next several hours,’’ returning to normal levels.

In addition, due to the power outages, Oyster Creek also reported a loss of operability of 21 of its warning sirens in its service area. It reported the situation, as required, to the NRC, as well as the DEP and state Office of Emergency Management. Efforts are being made to restore all sirens to operable status. Even though some sirens are out, there are other warning systems in place.

DEP nuclear engineers monitor daily operations at the state’s power plants on a regular basis and will continue to monitor their status throughout the storm and its aftermath. Under the New Jersey Radiation Accident Response Act, the DEP and State Police coordinate and implement comprehensive state, county, and municipal response to nuclear emergencies and establish requirements for protecting the public in the event of nuclear emergencies.

The state has highly trained staff ready to initiate, at a moment’s notice, an effective response to any nuclear power plant issue.

• Tweet

Swimming River fix holding. It will a while before the power comes back on. Stay off the roads on Tuesday

Most of Monmouth County will be without electricity for at least a few days, but water should not be an issue.

On a conference call lead by Governor Christie this evening, BPU President Robert Hanna said that New Jersey American Water Company reported that the temporary fix to the Swimming River Water Treatment Plant which failed last summer is holding up well.  No problems in delivery water are anticipated.

Ongoing storm conditions will prevent JCP&L from getting to work on restoring power.  Winds of over 85 mph are expected throughout tonight and into tomorrow morning, according to Jim Hayes of the National Weather Service-Mt. Holly, who was also on the call.  While Sandy made landfall near Atlantic City, the worst winds are expect in Northeastern New Jersey down through Monmouth County.  The 5000 out of state utility workers standing by will not be deployed until after the winds subside to around 25 mph, according to Hanna.

The high winds will cause storm surges 4.5-7.5 feet higher than expected.  North Coastal Monmouth County from Sandy Hook south will experience record levels of surges and flooding.

DOT Commissioner James Simpson urged all New Jersey residents to stay off the roads tomorrow except for a genuine emergency.  Treacherous road conditions from fallen trees and utility lines are reported throughout the state.

• Tweet

Christie Hurricane Briefing @ 5:30

• Tweet

Monmouth County asks residents to heed weather warnings

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management urges residents to heed the warnings that have been issued in connection with Hurricane Sandy, currently a Category 1 storm.

Freeholder Director John P. Curley reviews plans with OEM Coordinator Mike Oppegaard

Meanwhile, county emergency personnel are continuing to monitor the effects of the storm and respond to the needs of communities. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in all or part of 15 municipalities. Nearly 1,000 residents have sought accommodation at the two county shelters.

“We are expecting Hurricane Sandy to impact the county for at least the next 24 hours,” Mike Oppegaard, Director of the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management said. “We are hoping that residents have heeded warnings and evacuations and are prepared for the possibility of high winds, power outages and flooding.”

Over the past few days, residents have been encouraged to plan, prepare and stay informed.

“Residents who have created a kit and evacuated to the homes of friends or families or are sheltering in place should be ready to make it through the storm,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said. “Everyone should continue to monitor local radio and television for the latest information on Hurricane Sandy.”

Oppegaard also reminds residents to be safe with these reminders:

• Do not go outside. Flying debris from high winds is a danger. As the eye of the storm passes, there will be a short period of calm followed by rapid wind speed increases to hurricane force that will come from the opposite direction.
• Avoid using candles for lighting. Use a battery-powered flashlight.
• Try to stay in an interior room away from windows.
• If flooding occurs, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
• If your power goes out, turn off your major appliances. This will minimize losing power again through a power surge and protect the equipment when power returns.
• Stay calm and do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden echoed the 9-1-1 reminder.

“Calling 9-1-1 for the wrong reason or calling the number inadvertently may keep someone else from getting the help they need,” Golden said. “If you do call by mistake, please stay on the line until the call taker can confirm that you do not require emergency assistance.”

“During severe weather and all other times, residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 only in emergencies that threaten life or property,” Golden said. “These include a fire or serious medical condition, when there is fear for personal safety or the safety of others, or during a crime in progress.”

For more information about emergency preparedness, go to the County website, www.visitmonmouth.nj.us, check the Monmouth County’s Facebook page, or sign up to receive County tweets from Twitter,MonmouthCountyGov.

• Tweet

State Offices are closed on Tuesday

Trenton, NJ –Governor Chris Christie today authorized the closure of all State Offices for Tuesday, October 30, 2012 as a result of the dangerous and deteriorating weather conditions across the state associated with the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

Non-essential employees should not report for their normal day shift tomorrow. Essential employees should report to work on schedule. All notifications are currently being made and coordinated by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management in an expeditious manner.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Board of Public Utilities as well as various State agencies will continue to monitor the storm and continue statewide cleanup efforts until the event concludes. New Jerseyans are encouraged to comply with orders and guidance from their local emergency management and government officials in preparing for the storm and to avoid any unnecessary risks when the storm makes landfall.

Drivers are advised to stay off of the roads whenever possible and otherwise drive with caution, follow the rules of the road, stay alert and respect the weather elements and the guidance and orders of emergency management and government officials.  Unnecessary travel is not recommended.

Motorists are encouraged to check for current road conditions and closures at the New Jersey Department of Transportation website: www.NJ511.info.

For more storm preparedness information please log on to: www.ready.nj.gov

• Tweet

Christie Administration Encourages School Closings on Tuesday

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Education Commissioner Chris Cerf released the following statement today, encouraging closure of schools to ensure student safety in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy:

“In light of the worsening conditions due to Hurricane Sandy, I am strongly encouraging all superintendents and charter schools across the state to cancel school tomorrow. While we respect that these decisions need to be made at the local level, all indications are that the worst of the storm will be hitting New Jersey this evening and tomorrow, and it is of the utmost importance that we consider the safety of our students, school staff and district personnel at this time. Again, the decision remains a local one, but I cannot be any clearer: the effects of the storm are only going to get worse and it is in everyone’s best interest for districts and charters to cancel school tomorrow.”

• Tweet

Your generator won’t start. Now what?

By Mike Allen, The Saturday Mechanic

You put your generator away after Irene, carefully stored in your shed under a tarp, in fact. With the emergency, it’s time to haul it out and keep the lights on. Cool, still more than half a tank full. Fuel tap on, choke on, switch on. And yank.

And yank. Yank until you’re blue in the face. No go. Okay, how about a little ether sprayed into the intake? That makes it cough and run for a few seconds, but never longer. You’re too tired to pull the rope anymore, it’s getting dark, the news is saying that the power is going off pretty much at random. And it’s raining harder every minute. You’re screwed. And in the dark until further notice.

What’s wrong? More importantly, what can you do now, instead of hauling the thing off for repair next week after the emergency is over?

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet