Brick police are calling for township residents on the upper Barnegat Bay peninsula and low-lying bayside neighborhoods to evacuate by midday Friday in advance of an ominous storm track forecast for Hurricane Irene.

“Residents of low-lying neighborhoods and areas that are prone to flooding are also encouraged to evacuate well in advance of the storm,” police said in a prepared statement issued late this afternoon. “Failure to do so could place you at higher risk, as emergency personnel may not be able to reach you – as well as putting emergency personnel at greater risk in their effort to reach you.”

The Ocean County Office of Emergency Management is in the process of activating regional shelters, and the township will post those locations on its website – www.twp.brick.nj.us – as they open, police said.

The following press release was released by Brick Township

The current projection for Hurricane Irene calls for a significant weather event to impact Brick Township.  The forecast calls for up to a Category 3 Hurricane.  This will result in dangerous winds, heavy rainfall as well as coastal flooding beginning Saturday evening and continuing through Sunday.
 
We strongly encourage residents of the Barrier Island to evacuate by midday on Friday, August 26.  Residents of low-lying neighborhoods and areas that are prone to flooding are also encouraged to evacuate well in advance of the storm.  Failure to do so could place you at higher risk as emergency personnel may not be able to reach you as well as putting emergency personnel at greater risk in their effort to reach you.  The Ocean County Office of Emergency Management is in the process of establishing regional shelters and we will post those locations when they are made available.
 
All residents should begin preparing for the storm NOW by securing loose items outdoors, ensuring you have a supply of water and non-perishable foods, making sure you have necessary medications, checking on flashlights and batteries and making sure all vehicles are fueled and that you have cash on hand.
 
The Office of Emergency Management will continue updating residents throughout the weekend.  Residents should also monitor local media outlets, Comcast Channel 20 and the Brick Township Facebook page for continuing updates on the storm.
 
For police, EMS and fire emergencies, please call 9-1-1.  For non-emergency police response please call 732-262-1100.
 
For calls in reference to evacuations, shelters or other municipal services please call the Township Emergency Call Center at 732-262-1234.

(YWN Desk – NYC)