Christie Briefing on Hurriance Damage and Recovery At 7:15

• Tweet

Conserve Water

During a conference call with elected officials this morning, Governor Chris Christie and DEP Commissioner Bob Martin urge New Jersey residents to conserve drinking water during the clean up of Hurricane Sandy.

There are 10 water facitlities throughout the state that are suffering minor to major difficulties due to power outages and water surges.  If clean drinking water falls below acceptable levels, the government will have to issue a boil water advisory.

“We don’t want people spaying the leaves off their patios,” said Chrisite

• Tweet

Christie Administration Urges Residents to Be Aware of Food Safety Issues Following Sandy

Trenton, NJ – The Christie Administration and Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd urge all residents to throw away any food that may have come in contact with flood or storm waters and individuals that have suffered power outages should keeptheir refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.

Commissioner O’Dowd urged all residents to dispose of any perishable food that may have been above 40 degrees for two hours or more. Food will stay cold in the refrigerator for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. However, food above 40 degrees for 2 hours or more must be discarded.

“Perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked,” said Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd.

Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees or below can be refrozen or cooked. If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while it is still at safe temperatures, it’s important that each item is thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present is destroyed.

Information about municipalities that have issued boiled water advisories as well as instructions for safely boiling water for drinking can be found at http://www.nj.gov/health/er/documents/hurricane_health_safety_tips.pdf.

Below are some additional food safety tips to prevent illness during power outages, flooding and hurricane conditions:

• Add block ice or dry ice to your refrigerator if the     electricity is expected to be off for more than four hours. Fifty pounds     of dry ice should keep an 18-cubic foot fully-stocked freezer cold for two     days.

• Discard any food that is not in a waterproof     container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood     water. Food containers that are not waterproof include those with     screw-off caps, snap lids and pull tops.

• Discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and     home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because     they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.

• Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged     cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes,     fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to     prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.

• Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at     or below 0 °F and the refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees

• Wash fruits and vegetables with water from     a safe source before eating.

• For infants, if using formula, try to use prepared,     canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated     or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source     is potentially contaminated.

• During power outages, the appliance     thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and     freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.

Once Power is Restored . . .

You’ll need to determine the safety of your food. Here’s how:

• If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer,     check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer     thermometer reads 40 degrees or below, the food is safe and may be     refrozen.
• If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check     each package of food to determine its safety. You can’t rely on     appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is     40 degrees or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
• Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the     power was out for no more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door     was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish,     eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.

For additional information on food safety and power outages, please visit http://www.nj.gov/health/er/natural.shtmland http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/recovery.asp.

Posted: October 30th, 2012 | Author: admin | Filed under: Hurricane Sandy, Press Release | Tags: Food Safety, Hurricane Sandy | Comments Off on Christie Administration Urges Residents to Be Aware of Food Safety Issues Following Sandy

• Tweet

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

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