Upper Makefield Township

Bucks County Emergency Management would like to reminded everyone to prepare themselves in anticipation of this weekend’s storm. The latest forecasts show the storm passing close to Bucks County beginning in the late evening hours Saturday through Sunday morning, bringing with it heavy rain, damaging winds and the potential for major flooding.

 Prepare your home and family by making sure you have a disaster plan in place, and take the following precautions. 

• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down;
• Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed;
• Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters if you have them;
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer up to the highest setting, and open them only when necessary—this will assist in keeping your perishables fresh in case of power outages;
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances;
• Fill your car’s gas tank, in case of evacuation;
• Talk to your family about an evacuation plan—identify several places you could go in an emergency, a friend’s home in another town, a motel, etc., plan a meeting place for your family in case you are separated, and if you do not have a car, plan alternate means of evacuating.
• Have disaster supplies on hand:
  • Flashlights and extra batteries;
  • Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries;
  • First aid kit and manual;
  • Emergency food and water—enough for three days of easy to prepare non perishable items;
  • Non-electric can opener;
  • Essential medicines/prescriptions—a seven day supply;
  • Cash, credit cards and important legal documents—such as insurance information, proof of address, pertinent medical information;
  • Sturdy shoes; and
  • Don’t forget about your pets.
• Beware of fallen trees and limbs
• Stay off all roadways unless emergency

The Bucks County Emergency Operations Center will be activated at 8 p.m. Saturday evening to monitor the storm, as well as the Delaware River and Neshaminy Creek water level gauges. In conjunction with local emergency management officials, the county will deploy emergency assistance as needed. Please stay tuned to television and radio announcements for emergency updates and weather conditions. After 8 p.m. Saturday, August 27, questions regarding the storm or damage from wind or rain, not requiring emergency personnel, should be directed to the Emergency Operations Center, Public Information line at 215-340-8743. Power outages should be reported to PECO at 1-800-841-4141 or PPL at 1-800-342-5775. 

For more on Hurricane Preparedness and safety, please go to http://www.buckscounty.org/ReadyBucks/ExtremeWeather.aspx#Hurricane. During the storm, follow us on Twitter for up-to-date developments, @BucksCountyGovt and keep checking www.buckscounty.org for more detailed information.