Tropical Storm To Drench Lacey: Authorities Share Preparedness Tips

LACEY, NJ — Tropical Storm Debby is heading north and will likely bring several inches of rain and flooding to the Garden State.

Many portions of New Jersey are already soaked from a separate storm system as of Wednesday morning. But as Debby creeps closer, Lacey authorities are sharing steps that residents should take to prepare themselves for the oncoming storm.

"Several inches of rain are expected during the next 48 hours," officials said in a public service announcement Wednesday. "Excessive rainfall, higher winds, and tides may make roads along the Barnegat Bay and Forked River impassable. Please keep this in mind when traveling to and from home."

They shared the following steps to be prepared and stay safe:

1. Stay Informed:

- Monitor local news and weather reports for updates on the storm's progress.
- Sign up for emergency alerts from Ocean County's Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

2. Create an Emergency Kit:

- Ensure you have enough water, non-perishable food, medications, and other essentials to last at least three days.
- Include items such as flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.

3. Secure Your Home:

- Bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, and anything that can be picked up by the wind.
- Install storm shutters or board up windows and doors with plywood.

4. Plan for Evacuation:

- Know your evacuation routes and have a plan for where you will go if you need to leave your home.
- Have a go-bag ready with essentials such as clothing, personal hygiene items, and important documents.
5. Protect Your Pets:

- Make sure pets are wearing identification tags and have a safe place to stay.
- Prepare a pet emergency kit with food, water, medications, and comfort items.

6. Stay Safe During the Storm:

- Avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors.
- If you lose power, use flashlights instead of candles to reduce the risk of fire.

7. Power Outages:

- In the event there is a power outage at your residence, use the following for reporting and updates from JCP&L: To report an outage: Text OUT to 544487 (LIGHTS). If you're not enrolled in text messaging, text REG to 544487 to get started. To receive the latest update for your reported outage: Text STAT to 544487
- Customers should immediately report downed wires to 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or call their local police department.
- JCP&L reminds customers to stay away from downed wires, even if they believe they are no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be used in areas where downed lines are tangled with trees or other debris.
- Motorists are cautioned to treat intersections with inoperable traffic signals as four-way stops.

8. Flood Prone Areas:

- If you live in a flood prone area, move your vehicles to higher ground. Residents can park their vehicles at Clune Park, vacant lot at the Lacey Business Park at Route 9 or at Gille Park by the Roller Hockey Rinks. Be sure to lock your vehicles. They will not be monitored.

9. After the Storm:

- Listen to local authorities for information and instructions.
- Avoid flooded areas and downed power lines.

Here's the latest forecast for Lacey.

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7pm and 8pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 83. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 5am, then showers likely. Low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.