Community Corner

Building Sand Barriers in Union Beach

One way in which one of the most northern Bayshore communities is preparing for Hurricane Irene is by building sand barriers.

Union Beach is a small bayside community in Monmouth County's Bayshore, so Hurricane Irene is a threat to it as well.

Patch took a ride into the borough to find emergency management personnel battening down the hatches by, among other things, creating sand barriers to stave off some of the storm's ravaging effects.

Take a look at our above slide show on what was being done.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Union Beach's third issued message to residents concerning Hurricane Irene, the Emergency Management team warns that the hurricane forecasts indicate that the storm will not change it's projected path. They urge all residents in low areas of the borough to evacuate, emphasizing the dangers of the storm.

The closest shelter for Union Beach residents is at Holmdel High School at 36 Crawfords Corner Road, which will open as a free, regional Red Cross Shelter as of 5 p.m. tonight.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As of 6 p.m., Union Beach will be put in a State of Emergency, which means that road travel will be restricted.

Union Beach Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Harriott urges residents to listen to warnings and evacuate rather than attempting to wait out a potentially dangerous storm.

Harriott would like to remind residents to stock up on water, non-perishable food, medications, cash (because if electricity goes out ATMs will not work) and gas for the car. Families should pack a light bag with essentials in case of a mandatory evacuation.


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