Hopatcong Police Chief: Come On, Irene!

As Hurricane Irene battered parts of the Bahamas Wednesday morning, threatening to sweep its way up the East Coast over the weekend, Hopatcong Police Chief John Swanson said the borough was equipped to deal with the Category 3 storm.

Hopatcong could begin seeing affects from the storm as early as Saturday night, when the National Weather Service said there's a 70-percent chance of rain. On Sunday, the NWS said tropical storm conditions are possible with an 80-percent chance of rain.

Swanson said he doesn't expect the borough to sustain much of a blow as it weakens and heads along the coast, but Hopatcong's naturally hilly topography and services often make it a good place to weather bad weather.

"I'm not sounding alarms until we get to a point where we are sure the intensity of the storm will affect the town," Swanson said.

"It's a bit too early to tell how its' going to be."

Swanson said the , , police department, fire department and will be on call throughout the weekend. He said if things get bad—multiple power outages, flooding—the police department would consider using the as shelter for residents in need.

"This time of year, though, it's really not that big of an issue," he said. "I really don't foresee needing to utilize the schools. If we had hurricane intense winds ripping rooftops off homes, then we might."

Swanson said storms outside of the winter are generally easier to deal with. "Maybe some food would spoil in the fridge, but if power outages are the worst thing we suffer, they're fairly easy to adapt to," he said.

Swanson said Hopatcong doesn't have many areas susceptible to flooding, especially after the borough's storm-water management study around the high school and middle school a few years back addressed some problems.

DWP Assistant Superintendent David Whittaker said his crew would be ready to clear downed trees or electrical wires and barricade flooded roads.

"Just stay off the roads," Whittaker said. "Stay home. Just like the tell you with any other storm."

"Be careful if you're going to be out there."

Category 3 storms have peak winds of 115 miles per hour. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Hopatcong.

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance offered the following tips to keep safe during a hurricane.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

• Plan your escape route early in case you need to evacuate.
• Stock up on drinking water, canned goods, a manual can opener and other non-perishable foods. If you need any medicine on a regular basis, be sure you have an adequate supply to cover several days.
• Have access to a working portable radio. This may be your only link with the outside world and will keep you advised of the storm's path. Stock up on extra batteries.
• A cell phone with a fully charged battery may be helpful in case of an emergency. Also, a disposable camera may assist you in recording any damage that may occur as a result of a storm.
• Maintain a supply of flashlights, candles and kerosene lamps. Store matches in waterproof containers and have adequate lantern fuel.

Protect Your Property

• Prepare an inventory of personal property, including sales receipts or photos of household contents.
• Photos or videotape recordings may be helpful for insurance purposes. Make sure to store the inventory and the photos/videotapes off the premises, to help facilitate the claim filing process if your belongings are damaged. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
• Locate your homeowners insurance policy, identify your insurance company and policy number. Have the claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
• Review your insurance policy, especially the "declarations" page, and check whether your policy pays replacement costs, or actual cash value for a covered loss. Actual cash value is the cost of an item less depreciation (a decrease in value due to age, wear and tear, etc.)  If you have personal property replacement cost coverage, your insurance will pay the full cost to repair an item or buy a new one. Typically, however, the building is covered with replacement cost and the contents with actual cash value.
• Damage by windstorms such as hurricanes is generally covered under a standard homeowners policy, but there may be a deductible or other specific restriction that applies to your policy. (A deductible is the amount of the loss which you (the insured) is responsible to pay before benefits from the insurance company are payable.) It is very important to insure your home and belongings to their full replacement cost.
• Flooding may occur during a hurricane, but it can also happen anytime as the result of torrential rains and poor drainage.
• Flooding is not covered under standard homeowners policies.
• Ask your agent or emergency management office about the National Flood Insurance Program. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy becomes effective.
• Homeowners policies do not cover damage from flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
• If you rent a house or apartment, talk to your agent about purchasing a renters insurance policy if you don't already have one.

Practical Matters

• Board up windows, protect them with storm shutters or place tape "X's" on windows from one corner diagonally to another.
• Secure all outdoor objects that could be blown around by storm winds.
• If you own a boat, move it to a safer place, or at least strengthen the mooring lines.
• If you live in a mobile home, check tie-downs and leave immediately for a safer place.