preparing before disaster strikes Hurricane season has officially started
REPLENISH hosts 6th annual Dine Below the Line Event As part of its ongoing efforts to
AccuWeather forecasters have predicted 2022 will be almost identical to 2021’s season, which was the third most active hurricane season with 21 named storms. The Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management is not only committed to recovering and rebuilding in the aftermath of these climate-related events but also to preparing residents for storms by strengthening the resiliency of the community.
This year’s chefs included Chef Dan Slobodien from Pearl Street Café representing First Presbyterian Church Pantry in Metuchen; Chef Brian Karluk from Steakhouse 85 representing Sharon Baptist Church Food Pantry in New Brunswick; and Reverend Marshall Shelly representing St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Spotswood, Alice’s CUP Food Pantry. Chef Karluk and Team New Brunswick won both the popular vote and the judges’ vote. This event is a collaboration between REPLENISH, Feeding Middlesex County, The Arts Institute of Middlesex County, and the Rutgers Collaborative Center for Community Based Research and Service. Visit Middlesexcountynj.gov/replenish for more.
combat food insecurity, REPLENISH hosted its sixth annual Dine Below the Line hunger awareness event in May at the First Presbyterian
Church of Metuchen’s food pantry. It featured a cooking competition between local chefs and an in-person dinner for a limited number of attendees. Official judges included Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners Deputy Director Shanti Narra and Commissioners Charles E. Tomaro and Leslie Koppel, with all three voting as one; Jerome Mangroo, a restaurant and operations professional, local chef, and New Brunswick native; and Carolina Moratti, a local chef and host of “Cooking Outside the Box.”
Here are five hurricane and storm preparation tips from the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management:
Know Where to Go: Follow all recommendations and instructions from local, county, and
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Build a hurricane kit that includes essential medication for family and pets, important
state emergency management officials, especially concerning potential evacuations. Never ignore an evacuation order. There are areas within Middlesex County that are prone to flooding, so its important to create an evacuation plan well before a disaster strikes. Research the nearest shelter, including shelter for your pets, make sure your hurricane kit is stored in a convenient place known to all family members, and make a trial run to ensure your evacuation plan works. Take steps to protect your home:
documents, non-perishable foods, water, and basic hygiene supplies for up to 72 hours. Make sure your hurricane kit is portable in case you need to evacuate. Review Important Documents:
Review and know what your homeowner’s insurance policies cover. This includes flood insurance as damage caused by flooding
may not be covered under normal homeowners’ insurance policies. If you have questions about what your current policy will cover or need to augment your current coverage, contact your insurance professional. Stay Informed:
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With major hurricane winds exceeding 111 mph or higher, its important to avoid
Middlesex College student wins national scholarship Middlesex College student Thomas Emens of Jamesburg is one of only 100 recipients nationwide of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s highly
Know where to turn to for up-to-date emergency information before, during,
property damage by trimming trees and branches away from your home, make sure exterior doors are hurricane proof, and install storm shutters to protect your windows from breakage. And don’t forget to check generators in advance of inclement weather. For additional tips and updates in the case of an emergency, please visit Ready.NJ.Gov, Ready.gov, and Middlesexountynj.gov .
and after a storm. Whether you prefer to stay informed of breaking news and continued coverage of emergency events via traditional media outlets — TV, newspapers, and radio — or social media outlets, its crucial to use credible sources. Residents are also encouraged to subscribe to the NJ State Police on Nixle Connect to receive alerts via text/SMS, email, and internet posts.
competitive Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Emens, who will receive up to $55,000 per year to complete a bachelor’s degree, plans to pursue a degree in politics from Princeton University.
Spring 2022
Your Middlesex
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