Summit Is Prepared For State of Emergency

The government has officially named a federal state of emergency for New Jersey. "Federal emergency aid has been made available to the State of New Jersey to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Sandy beginning on October 26, 2012, and continuing," read a FEMA statement released early Monday morning.  

While the weather has yet to peak in what is currently being called a Level 4 Emergency storm, according to local officials, some of the possible scenarios are chilling. There are the reports of 75 mph to 50mph winds, the Holland tunnel is expected to flood, homes could lose power for several days, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled.

"It would have been nice to get through the first year without a natural disaster," Mayor Ellen Dickson told Patch. Summit has probably never been more prepared, however, for a disaster than it is now. "JCP&L told me they have mobilized 1,700 linemen and 1,200 forestry personnel," wrote Dickson on Facebook wall, following a phone conference with Gov. Christie. 

Being ready is always key, and something most residents understand about riding out a super storm in Summit. Securing your patio furniture, stocking up on extra gasoline for a generator (if you're fortunate enough to have one), are just part of the myriad preparations necessary for a hurricane. Not to mention all the other shopping you need to do, before all the supplies run out.

"[We] went shopping on Friday for lots of non-perishables," Summit resident Heather Speas wrote in an email to Patch. Taking her preparation further, she said she also washed all the the family's clothes, towels, and bed linens.

"My husband and I have both filled up the cars with gas and have gone to the bank," she said. Having cash on hand is one of the things you don't realize you need until a massive power outage knocks out ATMs and credit card machines.

Speas said she was ready for Sandy.

With the experience of two storms under her belt Dickson is also ready. She was already stocked up on her non-perishables, but her biggest concern was for the city. "If power goes out we hope to have numerous warming stations," she said. Lawton C. Johnson Middle School and the community center on Morris Avenue are expected to fulfill that role.

"Summit is very well prepared," Dickson said.