Sea level rise associated with climate change is a clear and growing coast-wide threat facing every resident and business in all of New Jersey’s shoreline communities. Assessing and addressing this risk effectively requires a coast-wide plan of action. The framework for forging a coast-wide response strategy was the focus of a round-table discussion during New Jersey Future’s 2017 Redevelopment Forum. All of the participants agreed that this important topic is so broad, and the obstacles so numerous, that a wider conversation is needed in order to explore the implications fully and outline a course of meaningful action.

To continue this conversation, New Jersey Future invites you to a symposium, the first in our series of Big Conversations, specifically to discuss what a coast-wide response to climate change and risks associated with sea-level rise should entail.

Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Time: 9:00 am – 12:15 pm

Location: War Memorial, 1 Memorial Dr., Trenton (get directions)

Registration: The event is free, but you must register here.  This program has been approved for 2.75 AICP certification-maintenance credits.

For more details about this event, including the tentative agenda, please visit the event website.

June marks National Pet Preparedness Month and is a perfect opportunity for you to learn how to plan for your pet’s safety during an emergency event.

If you need to evacuate your home for any reason do not forget to plan for your furry, scaly, or feathered friends. The Ready Campaign offers guidance and tips with regard to:
• Making a pet emergency plan.
• Preparing shelter for your pet.
• Protecting your pet during a disaster and caring for them afterwards.
• Tips for large animals.

Learn more about how to prepare your pet(s) for emergency situations at www.ready.gov/animals. If you would like to help spread the word about National Pet Preparedness Month via your social networks, check out Ready’s Pet Preparedness Social Media Toolkit for additional information.

The Atlantic hurricane season has begun, and there is no better time to get ready than now. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages residents and businesses across the nation to prepare by understanding their risk, planning together for the entire family, and downloading the FEMA App.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center seasonal outlook for 2017, released last week, states that the Atlantic could see an above-normal hurricane season this year. The full seasonal forecast is linked at www.noaa.gov/media-release/above-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season-is-most-likely-year.

Both hurricanes and tropical systems have the potential to cause serious damage to coastal and inland areas.  Their hazards could come in many forms including storm surge, heavy rainfall, coastal and inland flooding, high winds, and tornadoes.

“The time to prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms is now, before a threat even exists,” said FEMA Acting Administrator Robert J. Fenton, Jr. “We want people who live in coastal and nearby inland areas to know where they can get reliable information; prepare their home and workplace ahead of time; know if they live in an evacuation zone and be familiar with evacuation routes. Knowing what to do and practicing your plan now can make the difference between life and death if a hurricane or tropical storm does strike.”

There is a lot of information available to help individuals and communities prepare:

Know Your Risk: Residents should learn what types of natural disasters are common in their state.  NOAA’s historical hurricane tracks tool provides information on the severity and frequency of past hurricanes.

Learn Your Flood Risk: Flooding is the nation’s most frequent and costly natural disaster. Go to FloodSmart.gov and learn how to protect your home or business. Purchase a flood insurance policy if you do not already have one.

Make A Plan: Residents should speak with their family today about how they will communicate with each other during a significant weather event when they may not be together, or during an evacuation order.

Download the FEMA App: The FEMA App contains important information on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. The App also allows users to receive weather alerts from NOAA’s National Weather Service, includes lifesaving safety tips, and provides access to disaster resources should survivors need them. The App is available in the Apple App store or the Google Play store, and is also available in Spanish.

Know your evacuation zone: Evacuation zones are areas that may be impacted by hurricane flooding. Many communities designate evacuation zones and routes to get citizens to safety. This information is typically found on the websites of state, county, or town emergency management offices. If a hurricane threatens a community and local officials say it’s time to evacuate, residents should evacuate immediately. Do not wait for the next forecast.

Additional tips and resources:

• www.ready.gov/animals
• www.ready.gov/business
• www.ready.gov/alerts