Emergency & Evacuation Preparation

The Mantoloking Borough Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is providing the following flood preparedness check list as a guide to assist the citizens of Mantoloking Borough in the preparation for and the response to a flooding emergency.

FLOOD PREPAREDNESS CHECK LIST

Steps to be taken prior to a Flooding Emergency:

1. Familiarize yourself with the location and shut-offs for all household utilities; electric, natural gas, water.
2. Electrical panel boxes, furnaces, water heaters, and washers and/or dryers should be elevated or located at a point in the house that is less likely to be flooded.
3. Backflow preventors (check valves) can be installed on sewer lines to prevent flood water from backing up into the drain lines of your home.
4. Materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber should be kept on hand for emergency waterproofing of your home.
5. Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
6. If you or someone in your household have special needs contact the Mantoloking Borough Police Department and inform department personnel of your situation.
7. If you have a pet:

  1. Inform the Mantoloking Borough Police Department if your household includes a pet.
  2. Purchase a portable carrier or crate for your pet and familiarize your pet with the carrier/crate. Make sure it is labeled with both pet and owner name/address.
  3. Be sure that your pet’s vaccinations and tags are up to date and that you have necessary paperwork available.
  4. Make arrangements for boarding your pet in the event of an emergency or contact area motels to find out if pets are allowed.
  5.  www.petswelcome.com or www.tripswithpets.com are two web based resources for locating pet friendly motels.
  6. Animal shelter (732) 920-1600 or the Popcorn Park Zoo (609) 693-1900 can be contacted for temporary pet boarding.
  7. Make sure you have a current digital photo of your pet(s). Email it to yourself so it is readily available for forwarding.

8. The smartest thing you can do to prepare for floods is purchase flood insurance.

Steps to be taken if an Impending Flood is Apparent:

1. Move essential items and furniture to the upper floors of the home for protection.
2. Turn off all electrical power at panel.
3. Close main gas valve.
4. Remove cardboard boxes and newspapers as these materials can disintegrate and clog drains and vents.
5. Keep a full tank of gas in your automobile.
6. Put together an evacuation kit consisting of:
     1. first aid supplies
     2. supply of non-perishable food
     3. batteries (hearing aid, flashlight)
     4. battery operated portable radio
     5. blankets, dry clothing, shoes, and socks
     6. important papers, bank and check books
     7. valuable and cherished items, family photographs
     8. games for children and adults
     9. medications, special dietary foods
7. If you have a pet:
     1. License or identification, rabies tag, and proof of vaccination documentation. Kennels and boarding shelters will not accept pets without proof of vaccination.
     2. Food and water bowls
     3. Newspapers or paper towels
     4. Leash and collar
     5. Water- 3 day supply
     6. Dry food- 3 day supply in moisture proof container
     7. Medications
8. Comfort toy

If You are Told to Evacuate:

IF YOU HEAR OUR EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM MESSAGE OR AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DISPATCHED WITH PUBLIC ADDRESS SPEAKERS, IT MEANS:

Emergency Management Officials have important information for you and you should obey their voice directions for your safety at that time. You also may turn your radio to one of these stations:

1160 WOBM-AM 100.l WJRZ-FM 92.7 WOBM-FM

1310 WJLK-AM 98.5 WJLK-FM 95.9 WADB-FM

1670 AM (Town Emergency Management radio station)

If you don’t have access to a radio:

  • You will find information about evacuation directives on the Borough of Mantoloking website at www.mantoloking.org Click on Office of Emergency Management link.
  • Call the Mantoloking Borough Police Department (732) 295-1465.
  • Call (800) 792-8314 for the New Jersey State Police Emergency Management Hotline.
  • Door-to-Door notification will be used.

If you are unable to evacuate, please contact the Mantoloking Police Department at (732) 892-0832 to arrange your transportation to inland shelter. Owners with pets will be received at the Mantoloking Firehouse on Downer Avenue on an interim basis until more permanent accommodations can be arranged.

Evacuation Route:

Streets and Highway Configuration – Mantoloking will be receiving traffic on Route 35 from the communities to our south.

1) Route 35 will be opened to two lanes northbound.
2) Barnegat Lane will be made one-way north.
3) Residents located South of the Mantoloking Bridge will travel north to Herbert Street to Mantoloking Bridge and travel West to leave area.
4) Residents located North of the Mantoloking Bridge will travel North to Bridge Ave. in Bay Head and head West over the Loveland Town Bridge to leave area.

The Police and/or Fire Company will establish traffic control positions at Princeton Avenue and Route 35, Downer and Bay Avenues, Barnegat Lane and Herbert Street (Route 528), Bay Avenue and Herbert Street (Route 528), Bergen Avenue and Barnegat Lane.

Flood Safety Tips to help Decrease the Risk of Injury due to Flooding:

  • Know the flood warning procedures.
  • Do not attempt to cross flowing water where water is above your knees.
  • Keep children and pets away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains.
  • If your vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.
  • Evacuate the flood hazard areas in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by the police or fire department.
  • Cut off all electric circuits at the fuse panel or disconnect switch. If this is not possible, turn off or disconnect all electrical appliances. Shut off water service and gas valves in your home.
  • Stay away from downed power lines and electric lines. Report downed lines to the Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and the Borough Police Department.
  • Look out for animals. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in your home.
  • Clean everything that gets wet. Flood waters may have contacted road chemicals, sewage and other harmful materials.

After the Flood:

The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:

1. Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
2. Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
3. Avoid moving water.
4. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
5. Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
6. Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
7. Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
8. Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
9. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
10. Take caution in allowing your pet outdoors unsupervised/off leash until all hazards are confirmed safely mitigated.

For additional detailed information, please click here. This is a digital copy of the brochure that is mailed to each Mantoloking property owner.