The hurricane threat for Manalapan is ever present. Hurricane preparation is a year-round job in South Florida. To prepare yourself, your family, and your property, take the following measures.
Three Months Before Hurricane Season:
Begin purchasing supplies for your 5- to 7-Day Disaster Supplies Kit. (This can be done a little at a time over three months).
Inspect your window protection for rust, missing bolts, damage, etc. (Repair immediately).
Inspect your walls, windows, garage door and roof for conditions that may allow wind damage.
Use the Surge Area Mapping System (SAMS) on www.pbcgov.com to see if you are in an evacuation area.
If you are in an evacuation area, make an evacuation plan for you and your family.
Check your vehicles for Manalapan Resident decals.
Apply for Barrier Island Permits at Town Hall for essential personnel to return to the area after the storm.
Ensure your contact information is accurate and up to date with the Manalapan Police Department. This can be done by emailing your Town clerk Erika Petersen at Epetersen [at] manalapan.org or by calling police dispatch at 585-4030.
One Month Before Hurricane Season:
Check your utility bills to see who provides your water, gas and electric.
Complete the assembly of your Disaster Supplies Kit. Purchase non-perishable foods and medicine last.
Check with your doctor and/or pharmacy to determine how best to assure your prescriptions will last through a storm.
If you need to register for the Special Needs Shelter, contact the Special Needs Coordinator at 561-712-6400.
Assess your landscaping to determine if trees need to be trimmed or ornaments removed before a storm.
Establish a contact number with your employer in case you may need to report to work immediately following a storm.
Make arrangements in advance for your pets; either contact Animal Care and Control about pet sheltering, or ask your vet.
One Week Before Hurricane Season:
Review your family disaster plan with your family and establish who will be your out-of-town contact.
Double-check your shelter information and confirm the location; do not wait until you need to go to the shelter.
Hurricane Season is June 1 through November 30:
Stay alert to radio and television to receive updates on any tropical systems.
Periodically check your 5- to 7-Day Disaster Supplies Kit to assure you still have the proper items.
During a Watch:
Definition: A Hurricane WATCH means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible in the area within 48 hours.
General preparations:
- Turn on TV or radio and listen for continuing updates.
- Review your evacuation plan.
- Check 5- to 7-Day Disaster Supplies Kit and gather any missing items.
- Contact family members to coordinate storm preparations.
- Notify your out-of-area host about your evacuation plans.
- Place important documents and photos in waterproof plastic bags.
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings; open only when necessary and close quickly.
- Freeze plastic jugs or cartons of water.
- Fill up drinking water containers.
- Scrub bathtub and fill with water; keep bucket handy for flushing toilet.
- Fuel up vehicles and propane tanks; obtain fuel for generators.
- Prep and test your generator if you have one. Do not operate during storm.
- Stow or cover irreplaceable items; move breakables away from windows.
- Put up shutters if you have them.
- Bring in outdoor furniture, wind chimes, flags, trash cans, antennas, etc.
- Tie down or stabilize your boat.
- Secure outdoor gates. Leave electric gates open in case of power outage.
- Reinforce garage door.
- Anchor grills, umbrellas, and other outdoor structures.
During a Warning:
Definition: A Hurricane WARNING means hurricane-force conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected in your area in 36 hours or less.
Mandatory Evacuation: Residents in low-lying areas and on barrier islands may be required to evacuate depending upon the storm’s projected path and flooding potential. Manalapan is considered a barrier island.
If You Stay:
- Finish putting up shutters (Do not attempt to go buy plywood at this point.)
- Leave radio or TV on an emergency information station.
- Do laundry.
- Move vehicle(s) into a garage or next to a building; avoid parking near trees and utility poles.
- Get out your 5- to 7-Day Disaster Supplies Kit and keep handy.
- Fill water containers, bath tub, and sinks.
- Freeze water jugs and fill ice chest.
- Turn refrigerator to lowest setting and lower A/C (Turn their circuit breakers off after power goes out.)
- Recharge batteries.
- Place flashlights and batteries throughout the house and keep one with you (Do not use candles.)
- Secure all doors and windows.
- Double-check safe room.
If You Leave:
- Notify your host home and family members that you are evacuating.
- Bring along your pre-assembled 5- to 7-Day Disaster Supplies Kit including water, snacks, cash, and medications.
- Bring driver license, photo ID, proof of address, proof of insurance, loan papers, deeds, and important documents, family photos, pets (unless other arrangements were made), an address book and a list of important phone numbers including family contacts.
- Gas up your vehicle (Do not enter an evacuation route on less than a full tank).
- Move patio/yard furniture inside garage or home.
- Secure all doors and windows.
- Remember, pets are only allowed in pet-friendly shelters.
- If boarding pets, take them to their destination.
- Lock up and leave, allowing at least twice the usual travel time. Avoid flooded roads and beware of washed out bridges and canals.
- Notify the Manalapan Police Department at 585-4030, advise that you are leaving and update any contact information.
- Go to your predetermined host home or an emergency shelter, if necessary.
- Notify your prearranged family contact when you arrive at your storm-safe location.
Hurricane and Weather Links and Categories
Hurricane Category Ratings
Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category 1---MINIMAL (74-95 mph winds)
Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage and unanchored homes; no real damage to other structures; some damage to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from mooring.
Category 2---MODERATE (96-110 mph winds)
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water two to four hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers; marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required.
Category 3---EXTENSIVE (111-130 mph winds)
Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Many well constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain five feet or less above sea level flooded inland eight miles or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required.
Category 4---EXTREME (131-155 mph winds)
Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as six miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore required, and single-story residences within two miles of shore.
Category 5---CATASTROPHIC (155+ mph winds)
Shrubs and trees blown down; massive damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within five to 10 miles of shore possibly required.
Hurricane Links:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Boat US Hurricane Resource Center