Emergency Management

Avalon is on a barrier island and as such can be adversely affected by hurricanes and northeasters. Harry deButts gave a brief run-down of procedures that are being developed to advise Avalon residents how they will be informed of weather or other events that are about to take place, and if it will be necessary to take action such as evacuation.

Up to now it has been customary to break into Comcast cable with an announcement. The digital public address system on the three fire sirens has also been used; however, people cannot always make out what is being said.

A new addition is the Borough AM radio station. This was purchased with a grant from the state Emergency Management Department. The station transmits on 1630 on the AM band. There is continuous broadcast of the NOAA national weather reports with Borough messages included. There are plans to have signs on Avalon Boulevard (similar to those on the Interstates) with blinking lights if important messages are being transmitted. There will also be a scroll sign on the marquee at the entrance to town.

Emergency management personnel meet ahead of an expected weather event to review the forecast. In trying to coordinate the action to be taken they take into consideration the number of people in town.

Flood maps are available which indicate 'high' points are where cars, etc., may be taken in the event minor flooding is expected