Congressman Van Drew Provides Update on Storm Response

Congressman Van Drew provided an update on the ongoing response to the nor’easter impacting South Jersey and the work underway to prepare for recovery efforts.

“Teams are already in the district assessing conditions and damage, and that work will continue throughout the week,” said Congressman Van Drew. “In the coming days, I will be personally meeting with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers, including the FEMA Administrator and the Secretary of the Army, both in the district and on the ground. We are going to stay on top of this and make sure our communities get every federal resource and dollar they are eligible for. We have been through storms like this before. South Jersey is strong, and we will recover. My office will be there every step of the way.

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Event Updates Due to the Weather

Please find the following weather updates due to the Nor’easter forecast:

Cancelled – New Hope Arts and Crafts Festival is cancelled for BOTH Saturday and Sunday due to the anticipated weather.
Cancelled – Philadelphia Zoo has cancelled the car show on Sunday, no information is available about a new date at this time. The Zoo will otherwise operate like normal.
Cancelled – Philly AIDS Thrift has cancelled the 21st Anniversary Block Party on Saturday – if there is news of a new date we will issue another statement. Please support PAT during this time of year – the store will be stocked inside with Halloween and fall gear all weekend.
Cancelled – Outside, Moved Inside – South Street Oktoberfest by Brahaus Schmitz has cancelled the outdoor portion of South Street Oktoberfest – festivities will move inside including special food and drink menus. Please get your Oktoberfest on at the Armory on Oct 9-10.
Cancelled – The larger South Street Fall Festival with PAT and Oktoberfest is also cancelled at this time.
Moved Inside – Evil Genius Oktoberfest will move inside on Saturday, from 12-6pm.
Moved Inside – Yards Oktoberfest will move inside on Saturday, from 12-4pm/
Postponed – Northern Liberties Farmers’ Market Fitness Festival is moved to October 3rd.
TBD – Berwyn Farmers’ Market Apple Fest is still on at this time.

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Flash Flood Emergencies Across NJ and Connecticut

Roads turned into rivers as heavy rain unleashed flash flooding on September 13 across New Jersey and Connecticut, prompting water rescues and almost wiping out a half-marathon.

Courtesy: USA Today

Flood Watch In Effect Starting at Noon

* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE…Portions of northern Delaware, including the following area, New Castle, New Jersey, including the following areas, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Northwestern Burlington, Somerset, Sussex and Western Monmouth, and southeast Pennsylvania, including the following areas, Delaware, Eastern Chester, Eastern Montgomery, Lower Bucks, Philadelphia, Upper Bucks, Western Chester and Western Montgomery.

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South Jersey Gas Offers Safety Tips for Summer Storm Season

While summer means fun in the sun, it can also raise the threat for dangerous storms. Severe storms can produce significant wind, hail, rain and lightning, which may lead to property damage, power outages and flooding. “We think it’s important to be proactive by offering our customers tips on how to plan for summer storms,” said Craig Stewart, vice president, safety and shared services, SJI Utilities. “As a trusted community partner, our customers need to be aware of how to deal with severe weather threats so they
can protect themselves and their families this summer season.” South Jersey Gas offers the following tips to help customers prepare for the possibility of severe summer storms and hurricanes.

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Weather Alerts

Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10:00PM

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 604 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN DELAWARE THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL DELAWARE KENT IN NORTHERN DELAWARE NEW CASTLE IN SOUTHERN DELAWARE SUSSEX IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST MARYLAND CAROLINE KENT QUEEN ANNE’S TALBOT IN NEW JERSEY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 14 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY MERCER MONMOUTH IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY HUNTERDON MIDDLESEX SOMERSET WARREN IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY ATLANTIC BURLINGTON CAMDEN CAPE MAY CUMBERLAND GLOUCESTER OCEAN SALEM IN PENNSYLVANIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BERKS LEHIGH NORTHAMPTON IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUCKS CHESTER DELAWARE MONTGOMERY PHILADELPHIA THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY, BETHLEHEM, BLAIRSTOWN, CAMDEN, CENTREVILLE, CHERRY HILL, CHESTERTOWN, DENTON, DEPTFORD, DOVER, DOYLESTOWN, EAST BRUNSWICK, EASTON, EASTON, EDISON, FLEMINGTON, FREEHOLD, GEORGETOWN, GLASSBORO, HAMMONTON, MEDIA, MILLVILLE, MOORESTOWN, MOUNT HOLLY, NEW BRUNSWICK, NORRISTOWN, NORTH BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, OCEAN CITY, PENNSVILLE, PERTH AMBOY, PHILADELPHIA, READING, SAYREVILLE, SOMERSET, TOMS RIVER, TRENTON, WEST CHESTER, AND WILMINGTON.

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Air Quality Alert until 12:00AM Monday

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Sunday for Ocean County and southeastern Burlington County New Jersey. A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children…people suffering from asthma… heart disease or other lung diseases…and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles…visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/

* AFFECTED AREAS: OCEAN … COASTAL OCEAN … SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON

Heat Advisory until 08:00PM Saturday

WHAT…Heat index values up to 103 degrees expected.

* WHERE…Portions of northern Delaware, central, northern, and southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From 10 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

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Heat Advisory until 08:00PM Friday

* WHAT…Heat index values up to 100 to 104 expected.

* WHERE…Portions of northern Delaware, central, northern, and southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From 10 AM Thursday to 8 PM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NEW CASTLE … SOMERSET … MIDDLESEX … WESTERN MONMOUTH … MERCER … GLOUCESTER … CAMDEN … NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON … OCEAN … SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON … DELAWARE … PHILADELPHIA … EASTERN CHESTER … EASTERN MONTGOMERY … LOWER BUCKS

Instructions:Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Advisory Alert: Flood Warning!

FFWPHI The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for… Northwestern Burlington County in southern New Jersey… Northwestern Camden County in southern New Jersey… Northeastern Gloucester County in southern New Jersey… South Central Bucks County in southeastern Pennsylvania… Southeastern Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania… Central Philadelphia County in southeastern Pennsylvania…