Union Beach Builds Sand Barriers

A mandatory evacuation is in effect for Union Beach and residents are required to vacate the area by 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Union Beach began storm preparations as early as Thursday, Aug. 25.

Patch took a ride into the borough to find emergency management personnel battening down the hatches by, among other things, creating sand barriers to stave off some of the storm's ravaging effects.

Take a look at our above slide show on what was being done.

The closest shelter for Union Beach residents is at Holmdel High School at 36 Crawfords Corner Road, which will open as a free, regional Red Cross Shelter as of 5 p.m. tonight.

As of 6 p.m., Union Beach will be put in a State of Emergency, which means that road travel will be restricted.

Union Beach Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Harriott urges residents to listen to warnings and evacuate rather than attempting to wait out a potentially dangerous storm.

Harriott would like to remind residents to stock up on water, non-perishable food, medications, cash (because if electricity goes out ATMs will not work) and gas for the car. Families should pack a light bag with essentials in case of a mandatory evacuation.