Alert: Mtown Hurricane Recovery Update 9-2-11

JCP&L Update

JCP&L reports that 1,500 homes in Middletown are still without power. They expect that number to be reduced to 250 homes by the end of Friday. Additional updates are available through the JCP&L webpage below.

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/newsroom/news_releases.html

Emergency Brush Collection
Due to the volume of brush generated as a result of Hurricane Irene, an EMERGENCY BRUSH COLLECTION will occur town-wide. All brush must be placed curbside no later than Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Collection begins September 7, 2011. Do not mix leaves with brush. Regularly Scheduled Leaf Collection will occur in November.

The Middletown Recycling Center is open everyday until further notice to accept brush and recyclables from residents from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is located at 52 Kanes Lane, off Route 35.

Road Closure Update
Several high volume roadways within Middletown remain closed due to storm related damage.

Hubbard Avenue- CR 12 is closed between Alexander Drive and Park Place. Local traffic only can access neighborhood streets. River Plaza School is accessible from Navesink River Road side of the road closure.

Holland Road is closed between Red Hill Road and Laurel Avenue. There is access to AT&T entrance and Tatum Park from Red Hill Road side of closure. Residences located on Laurel Avenue side of Holland Road up to MT-34 bridge can be accessed from that end of Holland Road.

There is currently no timeline available for re-opening of these roadways.

Roads in the township that were flooded or impassable only because of tree parts are open. The township is working round the clock with JCP&L regarding locations that involved down wires. Other roadway closures related to Hurricane Irene include :

• Amhurst Avenue in Navesink
• Bamm Hollow Road at Bunker Hill

Middletown-Lincroft Road Is Open
Middletown-Lincroft Road has been reopened and water main construction temporarily suspended. This is due to other emergent roadway closures resulting from Hurricane Irene. Construction will resume when other roadways become available for travel. Further updates will be provided.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Update
At this time FEMA has not received a Presidential disaster declaration for Monmouth County. The Township has been advised by Monmouth County Emergency Management that federal and state assessment teams are continuing their work. Monmouth County had FEMA representatives in the county beginning Friday and will continue with the process tomorrow.

As a result, FEMA will not accept applications for disaster assistance from Monmouth County residents at this time. Currently, the designated New Jersey Counties are Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, and Salem County. At this time no counties have been denied Disaster Assistance.

In the event that FEMA will accept applications for individual assistance, you will need the following information to apply.

• Your Social Security number.
• Current and pre-disaster address.
• A telephone number where you can be contacted.
• Insurance information.
• Total household annual income
• A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account)
  • Lookup your bank routing number.
• A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster. (Middletown Emergency Management recommends that you document all your damages. Documentation can include photos and receipts.)

Monmouth County is Waiting for FEMA Assessment - Press Release
http://co.monmouth.nj.us/PressDetail.aspx?ID=918

Additional Disaster Assistance Information
http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm

Applicants Guide to Households & Individuals Program
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/assistance/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf

Disaster Summary For FEMA-DR-4021, New Jersey
http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15536

Be Alert For Gasoline Price Gouging, Home Repair Scams, Fraudulent Charities

"Tips for Flood Victims: How to Avoid Disaster-Related Scams"

As New Jersey prepares for Hurricane Irene, it is unfortunately necessary to remind consumers of the ugly truth that disasters often attract con artists and frauds.

The Division of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to be alert for potential abuses including gasoline price gouging, home repair scams, and fraudulent charity solicitations.

Gasoline price gouging: The Governor's declaration of a State of Emergency activates New Jersey's price gouging law. This law protects consumers who are preparing to evacuate or taking other action to protect themselves before an emergency, or preparing to recover after an emergency. The law prohibits the sale of merchandise, including fuel, at an "excessive price increase" during the State of Emergency or within 30 days of the termination of the State of Emergency. An excessive price increase is defined as an increase of 10 or more percent above the price at which the good or service was sold immediately prior to the State of Emergency; or, if there are costs imposed by the seller's supplier or additional costs of providing the goods, a price of 10 percent in the markup from cost, compared to the markup ordinarily applied by the seller. New Jersey law also prohibits gas stations from changing the retail price of motor fuel more than once in a 24 hour period. To report violations or complaints, consumers should contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 or www.NJConsumerAffairs.com

Home repair scams: In the wake of severe flooding incidents, fly-by-night home improvement contractors have been known to prey on individuals seeking to repair the damage to their homes. Often offering low prices and speedy work, they may leave consumers with shoddy or unfinished projects and homes that remain unsafe.

Follow these guidelines to protect yourself:

• Tips for Flood Victims: How to Avoid Disaster-Related Scams,
• Also available in Spanish

Before hiring a Home Improvement Contractor: Be sure to obtain the contractor's state registration number. Call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to learn whether the registration is still valid, and to learn if consumer complaints have been filed against the contractor. Demand a copy of the contractor's liability insurance policy, and call the insurer to learn whether the policy is still valid. Be sure to obtain a written estimate. Do not sign a contract or make a down payment until you are sure the contractor is trustworthy, and you fully understand the terms of the contract.

Fraudulent charity solicitations: After the March 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster that affected Japan, at least one apparently fraudulent charity began sending out emails, misusing the name of a respected charitable organization and asking consumers to send donations via Western Union to a location in the Philippines. "Investigate before you donate," and follow these guidelines to learn about charities that solicit funds:

• Charitable Giving: Avoid Fraudulent Charities
• Also available in Spanish

Before donating to a charity: Find out whether the charity is registered to solicit funds in New Jersey, or is exempt from registration (certain religious and educational organizations, and charities who raise less than $10,000 annually in contributions, are exempt). Find out how, exactly the charity plans to use your money. Learn how much the charity spent during recent fiscal years on program costs, management costs, and fundraising. Learn about the charity's stated mission. The charity should provide this information to you; you can also obtain it by calling the Division of Consumer Affairs' Charities Registration Hotline at 973-504-6215, or the Charities Registration page at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov