Camden County is closing all its parkland and library systems in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, which will be touching down in the region early tomorrow morning. The County is asking all residents to shelter at home and stay off the roads while this storm settles over the region. The Camden County Department of Public Works (DPW) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) are working hard to prepare for the Category 1 hurricane that is predicted to cause widespread flooding and power outages.
“We are asking the public to stay out of the parks because of the danger of falling trees and possible flooding throughout our 2,200 acres of parkland,” said Freeholder Ian Leonard. “For a significant storm event like this we are also closing the library system as well. We are asking residents to stay off the roads and prepare for the worst. This is not a storm event that should be taken lightly and all emergency recommendations should be followed.”
In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy below are a number of preparations being done by DPW and OEM:
• Thousands of inlets and storm water drains have been cleaned and flushed
• 400 miles of County roadway has been swept and cleaned to ensure debris does not clog our drainage system
• All chainsaws have been oiled and provided maintenance to aggressively clear trees
• All employees have had all vacation and personal time revoked until the storm is over
• All vehicles have been fully gassed up and all fuel reserves are filled
• We’ve inspected all dams and culverts throughout the County
• Emergency contractors are on call
• All construction projects throughout the County are secured
• All flooding hotspots have been secured and will be monitored throughout the storm
• The Cooper River has been lowered
• All generators have been tested at critical County locations
• Coordinating with local OEMs and Mayors
• Coordinating with state Homeland Security and State Police
The Camden County Library System’s eight branches will be closed tomorrow and Tuesday’s opening will be assessed based on storm conditions. At this point all Camden County events have been canceled for Monday and Tuesday including flu shot clinics in Cherry Hill and Gloucester Township.
In addition, Leonard is asking for all residents to check in on one another throughout our 37 municipalities.
