WARREN TOWNSHIP
 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Welcome to the Warren Township Office of Emergency Management web page. Every day Warren residents wake up, go to work, or school and partake in other every-day activities. However, every so often, the unexpected can happen ... a fire, a chemical spill on Route 78, or one of the main arteries through town, a tornado touches down, or a winter storm deprives the township of electricity. Routines change drastically, and people become aware of how fragile their lives can be.
Disasters make national headlines and could, and has happened here in Warren.

Several years ago, a winter storm dropped ice laden power lines on the west side of the township making it impossible to heat homes. Water lines froze and burst causing property damage. Many people had to seek warm places to stay. It was many days before power was able to be restored.

On July 18, 1997, several tornados touched down in Warren County, NJ, toppling hundreds of trees, causing damage to homes and property, and disabling the power grid for most of the county. It was several days before power was restored.

The Warren Township Office of Emergency Management is here to help township residents to be prepared for any eventual disaster and to coordinate emergency response personnel in such an event.

MISSION STATEMENT

To lessen the effects of disaster on the lives and property of the residents of Warren Township through leadership, coordination and support in the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Emergency Internet Links
HURRICANES

In the United States, more than 73 million people live within 50 miles of a hurricane-prone coast. Warren is one of the many townships considered within one of these coastal areas.

Hurricanes, also known as typhoons, are severe tropical storms with heavy rains and intense winds which blow in a large circle around a central "eye". If the eye, or storm center, passes directly overhead, there will be a lull in the wind lasting from a few minutes to half an hour. At the other side of the eye, the winds will return rapidly to hurricane force and blow from the opposite direction.

Hurricane winds can reach well over 100 miles per hour, can produce tornadoes and cause severe flash flooding. Every Atlantic state, including New Jersey, is annually threatened by these fierce storms. Hurricane season extends from the beginning of June through November.
TORNADOES

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms and in seconds, can leave an area devastated. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, striking the ground with whirling winds which could approach 300 miles per hour. A tornado spins like a top and many sound like an airplane or train. Although tornadoes normally travel up to 10 miles before they subside, 200-mile "tornado tracks" have been reported. Tornadoes can strike at any time of year and often accompany hurricanes. They occur most frequently during April, May and June.

Terms:

A "Tornado Watch" means tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, or both, are possible. Stay tuned to radio and television reports in your area.

A "Tornado Warning" means you should take shelter immediately. A tornado has been sighted.
WINTER STORMS and EXTREME COLD

Snowfall may seem romantic, but it can be dangerous. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas which normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snow storm or extreme cold. The results can range from isolation due to power outages and blocked roads to the havoc of cars trying to maneuver on ice-covered highways. Whatever the case, winter storms usually involve human suffering. You should protect yourself and your family from the many hazards of winter weather – blizzards, heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Hazardous materials are substances or materials which, because of their chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are released. Potential hazards can occur during any stage of hazardous materials use: production, transportation, use and disposal.

From industrial chemicals and toxic waste to household detergents and air fresheners, hazardous materials are part of our everyday lives. Affecting urban, suburban and rural areas, hazardous materials incidents can range from a chemical spill on Route 78 to groundwater contamination of our wells by natural occurring methane gas.

Production and storage does not occur only in chemical plants: Your local service station’s supply of gasoline or diesel fuel can be hazardous, and hospitals regularly store radioactive and flammable materials as well as other hazardous substances used in medical treatments.

Legislative provisions enable local-level planners to work with industry to identify and reduce risks from toxic chemicals and, if necessary, seek corrective action. Individuals also have the opportunity to identify and alter potentially hazardous conditions in our community.
FIRES

Fire safety practices save lives. Every year 6,000 Americans die in fires, and more than 100,000 people are injured. Most fire deaths occur in the home, and many could have been prevented. As smoke detectors and other fire prevention steps have become more common in recent years, the deaths and injuries from fires have decreased significantly

To understand the importance of fire prevention, be aware of the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly, and you have no time to grab valuables or make a phone call. In two minutes a room can become life-threatening. In five minutes your house can be engulfed in flames. A fire’s heat and smoke are more dangerous than the flames – inhaling the super hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep.

Since 1900, more Americans have died in fires than have been killed in all of the wars during the same period. Residential fires are the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five.
  • Fire safety and how to prevent fires.
FLOODS and OTHER DISASTERS

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural hazards. Some floods develop over a period of days, but flash floods can result in raging waters in just a few minutes. Water runs off steeper ground very rapidly, causing natural drainage systems to overflow with rushing flood waters and a deadly cargo of rocks, mud, smashed trees and other debris. Mudslides are also a danger created by flood conditions.

Remember - even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry stream beds or low-lying ground that may appear harmless in dry weather can flood.

Nationally, floods claim an average of 263 lives each year. Flood waters only one foot deep can sweep you off your feet. Be aware of potential flooding hazards. If you are in a low-lying area, or near water, you should prepare for floods.