City of Jacksonville Information

PO Box 128 Jacksonville NC 28541-0128 910 938-5220 Fax 910 455-6761

Media Contact: Glenn Hargett, 910 358-1001

For Immediate Release Friday, August 26, 2011

Storm Preps

Notes to Jacksonville Citizens about Hurricane Irene

The City of Jacksonville urges Citizens to seriously consider the consequences of Hurricane Irene and to take action to protect their lives and property. The Citys emergency response efforts are on alert, and City has entered an Emergency Management Preparedness state as the City is now under a Hurricane Warning.

Re-entry passes for Businesses Only

Re-entry passes for business operators may be picked up now at the Jacksonville Police Department. Only one pass will be issued per business. Utility Companies may have multiple passes. Official government entities or their employees do not need passes, only their government issued Identification. Businesses will not be allowed to open while a curfew is in effect in the City.

City Functions
All City functions are operating as normal at this time. City Recreation operations will cease at 6PM, meaning any events scheduled for this evening are cancelled. Jacksonville Transit will cease operations at 6PM and no Express routes will be operating to the bases today or tomorrow. Transit will resume operations when safe.

Before the storm

Be sure to secure your Residential Garbage or Recycling Rollout Containers. It's best if you put them in a storage building or tie them to a sturdy pole or fixture. If they are empty, you may decide to lay them down next to a building and tie them up. Other loose items around the yard can become "unguided missiles." Yard furniture, trash cans, potted plants, toys, bikes and the like can all become airborne at some wind speed - make sure all these items are picked up well before the wind fields from the storm arrive. City crews will have patrolled the City looking for debris that could clog stormdrains. If you notice debris starting to clog a stormdrain, please remove it if you can do so safely. If not, call City Hall and we'll try to get a crew there as quickly as possible. Note that City crews cannot operate after wind conditions have exceeded 45 MPH.

Government Information

The City and the County will be distributing information. Most of the official information will be carried on the Jacksonville-Onslow Government Channel. That's channel 10 on the Time Warner systems, and channel 14 on Charter Cable. The City will also be posting information on the City website, and special messages, will be using the Connect-CTY alert system which quickly sends messages to your phone, email, text and if appropriate, posts them to Facebook and Twitter. Be sure you are registered for the Connect-CTY system by going to the City's website: www.ci.jacksonville.nc.us. You can even register during a storm and you will get any subsequently released messages.

City of Jacksonville Friday, August 26, 2011 Page 2 of 2 The Jacksonville Citizens Phone Bank is also in operation. Residents who need official information may call 938-5200 for urgent information. The Citys information line is 910 938-6555 where recorded information is available.

During the storm

Monitor TV, radio or official government sources. You may be given information about your area that is important. Keep your phone line open for emergency communication from the City or County. When there are heavy Winds: Stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway. Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors. If you are in a two story house, go to an interior first floor room. If you are in a multi-story building and away from water, go to the first or second floor and stay in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows. Lie on the floor under a table or other sturdy object.

After the storm

Please avoid the urge to go sightseeing. City crews are to be mobilized as soon as it is safe to begin clearing roads and to take actions that were not possible during the heavy winds. Please stay off the streets so that City crews can work quickly. Driving may be especially hazardous due to debris on streets, flooding, emergency vehicles in operation or traffic signals and street lights being out of service. Stay away from the river, streams or other places where flooding is likely to occur. Put out your garbage on your usual day inside your container. The lid should close. The City will attempt to use as much automation as possible to keep costs down after a storm. Call Sanitation at 9385338 if you have an unusual amount for advice. For your yard waste, put that in a pile only with vegetative matter. If you have damaged furniture or debris from the storm that's not from trees, shrubs or plants, put that in a separate pile. Don't mix trash, furniture or other items with yard waste. Yard waste can be disposed of inexpensively while mixed items have to be taken to the County landfill where disposal is more expensive. For yard waste, make sure it's no more than 4 foot long so that it will fit in the trucks and that it is a pile with only plant material. Other trash, such as the furniture or storm debris thats not yard waste alone, put in a pile by itself. Different trucks will pick up these items. Watch for closed roads. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, Turn Around Don't Drown! Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from power lines. If you left your home, check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage when you return. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Never use candles and other open flames indoors. If using a generator, avoid electrocution by following manufacturer's instructions and standard electric code. Remember, avoid contact with flood water. Never walk through flood water or drive on flooded roads. Avoid dangling electrical wires and downed power lines. Most flood water is contaminated. Thoroughly disinfect anything that becomes wet. Downed power or dangling power lines poses a lethal threat. Watch for mosquitoes after the storm. Have bug spray ready if you notice mosquitoes in your area. The City will attempt to treat for mosquitoes after the storm as conditions permit.

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