Update: Clarified Mandatory Evacuation Areas in Aberdeen

This article was updated at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 27

A mandatory evacuation is in place for Aberdeen residents living in category 1 flood zones. Category 1 flood zones in Aberdeen include low-lying areas of Cliffwood Beach and River Gardens.

Aberdeen Chief of Police John Powers said this includes residents living on Beach Drive, lower areas of Greenwood Ave., West Concourse, Amboy Ave., Lakeshore Drive and Riverdale Drive.

Residents in these areas must evacuate by 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Residents should relocate inland to stay with family or friends. A shelter has been opened at Holmdel High School located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road. The shelter will accept pets in cages.

Aberdeen residents requiring transportation to the shelter should come to the Aberdeen Township Municipal Building at One Aberdeen Square for transport to the shelter.

Matawan residents requiring transportation to the shelter should call 732-566-1010.

Matawan Borough and Aberdeen Township both issued warnings this afternoon urging residents living along the coast and within flood prone areas to prepare to relocate inland and voluntarily evacuate.

Local emergency officials are bracing for heavy flooding in Aberdeen Township, especially on Amboy Rd., Aberdeen Rd., Route 35 between County Rd. and Cliffwood Ave., and Lakeshore Dr., according to Aberdeen Deputy Chief of Police Rick Derechailo.

The warnings also remind residents that if power goes out, you should call JCP&L at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), not the police station.

is a list of important, non-emergency numbers.

Matawan Borough issued the following warnings:

A State of Emergency is now in effect in Monmouth County. All Monmouth County residents living along the coast and within flood prone areas should prepare to relocate outside the area with family and friends.  Voluntary evacuations are strongly encouraged at this time.  If you know someone planning to visit Monmouth County, please advise them not to do so.

This is an emergency message from the Borough of Matawan Office of Emergency Management and the
office of the Mayor.

With the impending hurricane approaching, take all necessary precautions to secure all outside items and activate your family’s emergency preparedness plan. Make sure your car has a full tank of gas, cells phones are fully charged, prescription medications are filled and have enough money, clothes, blankets, diapers, formula and personal items to get you through several days. In the event you desire to leave your residence and re-locate to a shelter, County Shelters are open and are located at the Holmdel and Wall Township Schools. Both shelters will accept pets provided they are in carriers. In the event you desire to leave your residence and do not have transportation, please call (732) 566-1010 and transportation will be arranged for you.

Aberdeen Township issued the following warnings:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Delaware Bay and northward to Sandy Hook. Hurricane Irene is expected to impact our area beginning Saturday night into Sunday morning and last until late Sunday. High winds, heavy rainfall, and severe flooding are expected. Residents should secure outdoor items and avoid flooded roadways and downed power lines. Residents living in flood-prone areas are encouraged to relocate inland with friends or relatives. An emergency shelter has been established at Holmdel High School located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road. In the event of a power outage call JCP&L at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877.) Please do not call police headquarters for power restoration information. Please monitor media outlets for storm updates. For more information go to www.ready.gov or http://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?ID=3175.

The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management has ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents living in category 1 flood zones by 12 noon on Saturday August 27th. Aberdeen category 1 flood zones include low-lying areas of Cliffwood Beach and River Gardens. Residents should relocate inland to stay with family or friends. A shelter has been opened at Holmdel High School located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road. The shelter will accept pets in cages. Residents requiring transportation to the shelter should come to the municipal building at 1 Aberdeen Square for transport to the shelter. Please continue to monitor media outlets for updates on Hurricane Irene.