Governor ‘may declare a state of emergency’ if Tropical Storm Henri damages reach certain threshold: Cranbury OEM Coordinator
By Dave Schatz
Cranbury – The township held an Office of Emergency
Management (OEM) meeting on August 24.
It could take months for Tropical Storm Henri damage assessments to be reviewed by The Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management, but Governor Murphy may declare a state of emergency if a certain threshold is met, Lieutenant Ryan P. Dworzanski, Cranbury Township Police Department, who serves as Deputy OEM Coordinator, told attendees.
Township officials, including Mayor Michael Ferrante, met with
residents and business owners. Following the meeting they toured damaged
properties, on request, and helped those facing losses mobilize
resources.
But during the meeting, with a clipboard in hand, the mayor added
to the small list he said he’s been maintaining. It contains the information to
contact any locals with issues.
“Just want to make sure we have a single place we can go to…
Please do get us a list if you know of any affected homeowners beyond who is
physically here today,” he said.
While the damage to homes and businesses in Cranbury, mainly in
basements it's believed, runs the gamut, fortunately no houses were taken off foundation and
no loss of life was incurred amid Tropical Storm Henri. It was characterized
this week by Governor Murphy as a “Low-Wind Storm,” with extremely heavy rain
and significant flooding.
“Our governor did not declare a state of emergency,” Cranbury
Police Chief Michael J. Owens told attendees at the meeting, which was held on
Brainerd Lake Bridge, Main Street.
“So the storm was a little unique in that we did not have an
initial state of emergency declared like most storms that roll through,” said
the chief, adding that Murphy usually acts quickly in that respect.
But since Cranbury is kind of centralized and within Middlesex
County it ticked the highest amount of rainfall (more than nine inches), said Owens – “we’re affected a
little different than most of the areas around us.”
Dworzanski, the deputy coordinator, advised residents on how to
go about identifying resources, noting that Cranbury is collaborating with
Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management. (Other highly affected
counties, include Somerset and portions of Mercer County, he said.)
“They send (us) out preliminary damage assessments,” said
Dworzanki. “When the damage assessments come back, if they meet a certain
threshold, then the governor would declare a state of emergency.”
“You as the victims – you are your best advocate right now in
documenting your damages to the fullest extent you can – taking photographs,
detailed notes and saving all your repair slips. So, when and if that time
comes – you guys are ready to move forward.”
While The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does have
individual assistance programs, said Dworzanki, there are specifications. And
FEMA is not a substitute for your insurance, he said.
“If you have insurance,” said the lieutenant, “you have to go
through your insurance first.”
Separately, Murphy and other officials are scheduled to
meet with Helmetta residents affected by Tropical Storm Henri damage early
Tuesday evening, August 24.
Here is video of the meeting in Cranbury.
Update: On August 25, the township provided an update:
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