Oceanport creates emergency e-mail
August 26, 2011
Tornado hits West End, Long Branch
August 28, 2011
Over 250 people have signed into the shelter at the LBMS so far. Many are hanging out in rooms like this one. Some were already taking naps on their mats, others were watching "Lord of the Rings" in the theater.
some brought their own accommadations to the middle school.
Over 500 mats were on hand if needed. Volunteers were in the process of inflating about 100. Some brought their own air mattresses.
Some assisted living groups were evacuated to the school.
These kids from Rumson were evacuated from their homes. "So we came to see what Pier Village was like."
Mom and daughter sightseeing at Pier Village. Most people at Pier Village were commenting about how calm and low the ocean was. About a half hour later the rain began to come down heavier.
Kristyona Abel (right) of Jackson St. with her sister Shakyra Gilliard,
Many of those people are showing up at the Middle School since it is equipped for such a situation.
The Ocean Place has graciously sent over food for families showing up and Sodexo also is on site to help feed the hundreds of p
Amy's Omelette House in Ursula Plaza left a message for Irene
One of the first to arrive at the Middle School was 46-year-old
Janet Kiss from Westwood Ave. didn't want to be alone during the storm
17-year-old Kristyona Abel of Jackson St. felt it was unsafe to stay at home, but her mother and one of her two brothers decided not to leave. She and her sister Shakyra Gilliard, who is nine, decided to go to the shelter. “I didn’t think it was safe to stay at home and called the police to ask if I could bring my little sister to the shelter, and my uncle drove us here,” Kristyona said.
71-year-old Taty Nieto who lives in Washington Manor brought enough activities with her to keep her busy for her stay at the Long Branch Middle School.
Three girls who are from the Republic of Moldova in Eastern Europe,
Veronica Gogu, Stella Vintu, and Ludmila Stepan, who work at the Ocean Place were told to go to the shelter.
“We were supposed to go home on Sept. 8th and this has been a very trying week with an earthquake and a hurricane,” said Veronica. “The people at the Ocean Place and the middle school were very helpful. I would like to thank them very much.”
There are plenty of security with local police officers, school security, first aid and a nurse that will be staying the night.
If you are in an unsafe area you should find a place to spend the night. Some places in Long Branch are under mandatory evacuation — once the hurricane is in full force there will be no one to help those in danger.
Long Branch Superintendent Mike Salvatore, along with Mayor Adam Schnieder and members of the council were on hand to welcome people to the shelter and to make sure everything was running smoothly.
The gym has been set up with mats and blow up mattresses for people to sleep on. There are also movies being shown, games, books.
“We are not a school today,” said Mike Salvatore. “Today we’re a shelter. Everything is running smoothly so far, and all the kids have been great. We’ve had to bend the rules a little, but like I said, we’re not a school today.”
Stay tuned for updates and more storm-related photos.
