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Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney : Flash Flood Safety Tips

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file photo by Boyd Loving

Dear Friend,

The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a Flash Flood Watch In northeast New Jersey, Eastern Bergen, Eastern Essex, Eastern Passaic, Eastern Union, Hudson, Western Bergen, Western Essex, Western Passaic, and Western Union. A slow moving frontal system will bring numerous showers and thunderstorms to the region this afternoon into this evening.

Any thunderstorms will have the potential to bring torrential downpours with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. These types of rainfall rates will cause urban and poor drainage flooding, with potential for flash flooding in areas affected by multiple successive thunderstorms. Additionally, rapid water level rises can occur on flashy small rivers and streams in basins affected by this activity.

According to the National Weather Service, more people are killed by flooding on average than by any other single severe weather hazard, including tornadoes, lightning, and hurricanes. Most of these deaths occur at night, when it is more difficult to recognize flood dangers, and when people are trapped in vehicles. Do you and your family know what to do in case of a flood?

Remember:
DO NOT drive onto a flooded roadway.
DO NOT drive through flowing water.
If you approach a roadway that is flooded, TURN AROUND – DON’T DROWN.
Drive with extreme caution if roads are even just wet or it is raining. You can lose control of your vehicle if hydroplaning occurs, which is when a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road, causing there to be no direct contact between your vehicle and the road.

Why is “Turn Around – Don’t Drown” so important?
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.

IF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA:
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately! Act quickly to save yourself, you may not have much time.
Get out of areas that are subject to flooding and move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. Low spots such as dips, canyons, and washes are not the places you want to be during flooding!
DO NOT camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
DO NOT drive if not necessary. If driving is necessary, do not attempt to drive over a flooded road, as the depth of the water is not always obvious, and the roadway may no longer be intact under the water. Never drive around a barricade, they are placed there for your protection! If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground before water sweeps you and your vehicle away.
DO NOT try to walk, swim, or play in flood water. You may not be able to determine if there are holes or submerged debris, or how quickly the water is flowing, and you may be swept away. If water is moving swiftly, as little as 6 inches of water can knock you off of your feet! There is also a danger of hazardous materials polluting the water. Also remember that water is an electrical conductor, if there are power lines down, there is a possibility of electrocution.
Always continue to monitor the situation through the National Weather Service website, your NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards, or favorite local television or radio stations

To read about more consumer tips, you can visit my website www.kevinjrooney.com. I hope these tips are useful for you and that you stay safe while the flash flood warning is in effect.

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Rooney
Assemblyman
Legislative District 40

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The National Weather service has issued a coastal hazard message ,saying there is a high risk of “rip currents”

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July 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood

Wyckoff NJ , the National Weather service has issued a coastal hazard message ,saying there is a high risk of “rip currents” . Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in sandbars and near structures such as groins, jetties, and piers.

Talk to lifeguards and beach officials to learn about any surf hazards and heed their advice. Pay attention to flags and posted signs and swim in life guarded areas.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, and do not swim against the current.  If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

from the desk of Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney:

TIP: What to do if You Get Pulled into a Riptide

When you’re at the beach, you need to be aware of the dangers of the sun and surf, even as you enjoy the beautiful weather, so that your beach day is as safe and perfect as possible! That’s why it’s important to protect your health and life by being aware of one of the big hidden risks of the ocean: unexpected riptides that come up out of nowhere.
So what exactly is a riptide? The name itself is a bit deceptive, because it’s not a tide at all, it’s a strong current. According to the United States Lifesaving Association: “Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves.” These kinds of currents can occur in a large body of water with waves that break, even large lakes.
Here are some tips on how to avoid, escape, and survive if you are stuck in a riptide:
Watch the waves: Your best assurance of staying safe from riptides is simply knowing that the risk is out there. That way, you can stay aware of dangerous conditions, and know when the possibility of a riptide is highest. Naturally, you need to keep an eye out for storms coming in, but it’s also important, even during nice weather, to notice if waves are breaking hard in one spot and gently in another: the perfect conditions for a riptide to develop.
Don’t go out over your head: In general, one of the best ways to stay safe in a large body of water is to keep from going out over your head. You should make sure that you can always put both feet on the ocean floor and still breathe with your nose and mouth above water. That way, you have a bit of an assurance that, even if you are caught in a current, you’ll be able to anchor yourself in place.
Keep your feet down: If you do find yourself caught in a strong current that feels like a riptide, make sure to keep your feet firmly grounded. Having this point of connection to the ground helps to stabilize your body and keeps the waves from yanking your feet out from under you. If your feet do get swept away, do your best to reconnect to the ground as quickly as possible and dig your feet in.
Call attention to yourself: Even if you’re a strong swimmer, a riptide can conquer you immediately if you’re taken unaware. That’s why it’s important that you call out for help as soon as you feel that you’ve lost control. Get the attention of a lifeguard or another beachgoer by shouting, “Help!” rather than screaming, which might go unnoticed at a busy, noisy beach.
SWIM PARALLEL TO THE SHORE: If you can swim, try to break free of the current by swimming in a line parallel to the shore. Don’t try to turn around and swim straight back to shore, because then you’ll be struggling straight against the current. Swimming parallel can help you break free from the flow of the current, which tends to be quite narrow.
Don’t fight it: By the same token, you shouldn’t fight against the flow of the water. The water is immeasurably larger and stronger than you are, and trying to fight the current directly will simply exhaust you. If you can’t swim sideways to break free, simply allow yourself to be pulled in the hopes that you’ll swing free in the process.
Keep calm: This one is tricky, but extremely important to remember: if you’re stuck in a riptide, you need to stay calm. Stay mellow, float along, and try to breathe deeply and normal. If you panic, your breathing will pick up and you may exhaust yourself, pass out, or even inhale water by mistake.
Float on your back: If all else fails, roll yourself onto your back and push your hips up to create a pocket of air at the small of your back. This is the easiest way to survive in the ocean, especially if you aren’t a strong swimmer, and your best bet if you find yourself caught far out at sea, away from shore. By floating, you stop expending the energy of struggling and swimming, and give yourself the necessary rest to break free of the current or grab onto something when it gets weaker or you have an opportunity. That way, you have a much better chance of getting yourself free from a scary situation!

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Panel approves Rooney bill holding Superfund polluters accountable

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may 18,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wyckoff NJ, The Assembly Environment committee passed legislation today preventing public pension funds from investing in companies that are not meeting Superfund cleanup obligations. Corporations that file bankruptcy to avoid paying for environmental remediation are targeted by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney’s bill (R40) (A997).

The Superfund program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with individual states. In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Site Remediation Program oversees the Superfund program. As of 10 March 2016, there are 105 Superfund sites listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). Thirty-six additional sites have been cleaned up and deleted from the list.

Rooney said ,“We cannot allow companies to benefit from state investment while they are walking away from an environmental disaster,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “This bill sends a clear message that irresponsible behavior and dubious tactics will not be tolerated. We will hold them accountable for poisoning our environment.”

A previous version of the bill (A4814) was unanimously approved by the Assembly and the Senate during the previous legislative session, but Gov. Chris Christie did not sign it.

Rooney drafted the measure after an American-based subsidiary of an Argentinian company declared bankruptcy to avoid paying $1.4 billion to remediate a heavily polluted stretch of the Passaic River. The Diamond Alkali Company, now known as Maxus Energy, owned and operated a facility in Newark manufacturing agricultural chemicals including Agent Orange and DDT. Over decades, chemicals were dumped into the river in what is now a Superfund site.
“This negligence had a devastating effect on the environment,” said Rooney. “Hundreds of thousands of gallons of dioxin were recklessly poured into the water. The poison is incredibly toxic and can take decades to degrade naturally.”
The parent company of YPF SA intentionally placed their subsidiary into bankruptcy just months after the Environmental Protection Agency announced a cleanup plan.

“These actions set a dangerous precedent,” continued Rooney. “New Jerseyans cannot be expected to clean messes made by those exploiting our system. Our state cannot afford it, and neither can our environment.”
The New Jersey pension fund owns more than 860,000 shares of YPF, valued at approximately $18 million.

The site is one of the most polluted stretches of water in the nation, and eating fish and crabs from the area is prohibited. The remediation plan is considered the one of costliest and most extensive projects ever undertaken.
The Senate approved the legislation in February.

Kevin J. Rooney represents the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly. Rooney was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a lifelong Bergen County resident and grew up in Upper Saddle River. He graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, New Jersey, and attended Ramapo College for Business and Cook College of Rutgers University for arboriculture.