UPDATE: Residents Urged to Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the National Weather Service are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Sandy to see what impact it might have on the area as it moves up the coast. 

While the track of the storm has yet to be finalized, Monmouth County officials are also urging residents to be prepared for what may be heading our way. "We have seen the damage that a hurricane can cause and I hope that residents will take precautions as we monitor the progression of this storm," Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said. "

With the potential for strong storms the county urged residents to take these steps:

Prepare –  Assemble a Kit of Emergency Supplies – Batteries, flashlight, radio, first-aid kit, medications, food and water to last three or more days, can opener, cooking tools, toiletries. 

Plan – Create an Emergency Plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations. 

Stay Informed – “Like” the Monmouth County Government Facebook page, follow the county on Twitter and visit the county Web site frequently for information and links to important resources. Also, listen to local radio and television for the latest information on storms and other emergencies. Review what warning sirens are used in your community to alert residents of major emergencies. 

Burry said, "To be truly equipped for an emergency situation you should prepare your finances and consider making yourself available to help your neighbors in an emergency."

Stay with Patch for more information as the storm develops.