In Irene Preparation, Technology Was Key, Officials Say

For the local health departments dealing with power outages, lack of water and more during Hurricane Irene one year ago, getting through it was all about communication and technology.

This weekend marks one year since the devastating storm that caused mass flooding, downed trees and widespread power outages throughout Bridgewater and the whole state.

Through technology, according to Chris Poulsen, director of health and human services for the township, the local health departments kept in contact with each other throughout the storm, and provided crucial information back and forth through the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

“This established a strong network for the identification of resources, dissemination of information and the assessment of local community and regional public health needs,” he said.

At the height of the storm, Poulsen said, there was a message through the system from a small town in southern New Jersey with the phrase, “Is There Anybody Else Out There? We need additional cots at our shelter.”

“Sometimes just the fact that you can communicate your concerns can be a relief,” he said.

But in addition to the departments keeping in contact, Poulsen said, they realized how important the use of social media could be to the towns.

“One lesson learned was to be able to utilize certain levels of legitimate social media to distribute updates and disseminate information,” he said. “The Bridgewater Police Department has an established Facebook account that was the pinnacle for the distribution of information from the local Office of Emergency Management on storm matters such as distribution locations for bottled water and road closures.”

With the use of smart phones and other electronic devices, Poulsen said, people were able to receive information in a timely fashion.

“The local health departments will now crop informational materials to be better suited for distribution in this format,” he said.

Fortunately, Poulsen said, because there was advanced notice of the storm, residents and the township had time to plan and receive information in advance.

“Many residents that utilize individual potable wells as a water source had ample time to stock up on bottled water and to fill basins, washing machines and bathtubs with water for sanitary purposes,” he said.

In addition, Poulsen said, the local Office of Emergency Management, with the health department, was able to distribute bottled water as needed from different locations, while residents had the chance to put together their generators to supply power for sump pumps.

“More assessment is necessary to determine the locations of residential generators to adequately determine the potential impact on the power grid system and potential environmental and public safety impacts as these devices become more readily available to the community,” he said.

Energy is also an important thing to conserve and prepare for in the advent of a storm of Irene’s magnitude, Poulsen said.

“Residents that are considering solar panels as a renewable energy option may also consider planning an alternative energy option into the system to prepare for times of power outage that may occur during storm periods and natural disasters,” he said.