Wall High School To Be Emergency Shelter

The Monmouth County Freeholders unanimously voted to declare a state of emergency in the county Thursday night and announced the opening of a third site as an emergency shelter ahead of Hurricane Irene, which is on track for the Jersey Shore by Sunday.

will open Friday at 5 p.m. as an emergency shelter,  one of three set up in the county. Other shelters, all run by the Red Cross beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, include Holmdel High School, 36 Crawford’s Corner Rd., Holmdel and, if necessary, Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Points Road.

Pets will not be permitted at the shelters, according to Laura Kirkpatrick, county spokeswoman.

The county's delcaration was expected earlier Thursday and follows one issued earlier by Gov. Chris Christie in advance of Hurricane Irene.

Residents living in coastal and low-lying areas are urged to evacuate voluntarily, especially those whose homes are prone to flooding, the release says.

“Last weekend we had 4 inches of rain and some of our evacuation routes were impassable because of flooding,” Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton said in the release. “This weekend we expect even more rain and wind, so it is important to make the decision to leave early before it becomes too late.”

Gov. Christie today warned potential visitors not to come to the shore this weekend, and he urged residents and visitors along the shore to leave tonight or tomorrow. By tomorrow night, Christie said he would like to see everyone out of the shore area, especially those on the barrier islands.

A state of emergency will allow the county Office of Emergency Management to mobilize all county resources and direct them where they are needed to protect life and property. These actions include ordering mandatory evacuations and controlling traffic on all roadways, the release says.

Irene is expected to arrive Saturday night and continue with high winds and rain throughout the day on  Sunday. Christie said he is considering ordering a mandatory evacuation, and the county will follow suit if and when that decision is made, according to the release.

 “The most important thing that residents can do in advance of the approaching storm is prepare, plan and stay informed,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said in the release. “While our county crews are preparing for this storm, residents should do their part as well.”