Category: Weather

Heat advisory issued; cooling sites open

Post author By Editor
Post date September 6, 2023
No Comments on Heat advisory issued; cooling sites open

TRENTON, N.J. — The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Mercer County and the surrounding area for today, Sept. 6, until 8 p.m. County Executive Brian M. Hughes reminds residents that many cooling sites will be open.

Temperatures today are expected to reach the mid 90s with a heat index (a measure of the combination of heat and humidity) of up to 103 degrees, and Thursday’s forecast is calling for mid-90s temperatures with a heat index of up to 101 degrees. Children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets are most at risk during excessive temperatures.

The New Jersey Department of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer the following recommendations for staying safe during hot weather:

Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
People without air conditioning should reach out to NJ 2-1-1 for information regarding Cooling Centers: nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers
Take cool showers or baths.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Avoid high-energy activities or working outdoors if possible.
Check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Consider pet safety. If pets are outdoors, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.
If using a mask, use one that is made of breathable fabric, such as cotton instead of polyester. Don’t wear a mask if you feel yourself overheating or have trouble breathing.

Mercer County Library System branches and municipal senior centers serve as cooling sites, although daily hours of operation vary. These locations are open to all residents. The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Hightstown, Hopewell, Lawrence, Robbinsville, Twin Rivers, and West Windsor library branches are open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Hollowbrook Branch is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Lawrence and West Windsor branches are open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sundays during the school year.

Call individual senior centers for hours of operation, restrictions and accommodations. Call your local senior center if you don’t see it on the list of confirmed cooling sites below.

Mercer County library branch locations

Ewing, 61 Scotch Road
Hickory Corner, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor
Hightstown Memorial, 114 Franklin St.
Hollowbrook, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing
Hopewell, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington
Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike
Robbinsville, 42 Allentown-Robbinsville Road
Twin Rivers, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor
West Windsor, 333 North Post Road

Municipal senior center locations

Ewing – Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive; 609-883-1199
Hamilton Senior Center, 409 Cypress Lane; 609-890-3686;
Hopewell Valley Senior Center, 395 Reading St., Pennington; 609-537-0236;
John O. Wilson Center, 169 Wilfred Avenue, Hamilton; 609-393-6480;
Princeton Senior Resource Center, 101 Poor Farm Road, Building B; Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton St.; 609-751-9699
Robbinsville Township Senior Center, 1117 Route 130; 609-259-1567
Samuel Naples Senior Center (covering all of Trenton), 611 Chestnut Ave.; 609-989-3462
West Windsor Senior Center, 271 Clarksville Road; 609-799-9068

For assistance in coping with the heat or to contact your local cooling site, please call the Mercer County Office on Aging at (609) 989-6661 or toll-free at (877) 222-3737. During non-business hours, residents are encouraged to call 911 if they experience heat-related problems.

For more information regarding heat-related emergencies, please visit www.ready.nj.gov, the National Weather Service Heat Safety Tips and Resourcespage or the National Institute on Aging Hot Weather Safety page.

Art & Life Business Environment Lifestyle Regulations & Security Science Weather Weather & Environment

Best’s Review examines the impact of climate-related risks and more

Post author By Michelle Dryden
Post date April 3, 2023
No Comments on Best’s Review examines the impact of climate-related risks and more

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The April issue of Best’s Review examines climate-related risks as a key focus for insurers and regulators:

“Rising Tide in Climate Risk Regulation Presents New Challenges for Insurers” discusses how insurers in every line of business will need to adapt to new regulations with engagement and innovation.
“A Hot Market: Insurers Launch Climate-Related Businesses as Green Tech Grows” reports on how insurers are taking advantage of new opportunities to provide coverage for renewable energy projects.

Also included in the April issue:

“Attorneys, Analysts: Norfolk Southern Likely Facing Years of Claims Over Ohio Derailment” addresses the potentially significant impact of the derailment on the freight carrier’s finances and insurance coverage.
“Crypto, DeFi Insurance Targets Digital Assets, Technology” features coverage of a recent AM Best TV panel discussion about cryptocurrency and decentralized financing, and the need to protect those innovations.
“AM Best: US Life/Annuity Insurers Well Positioned for 2023 Challenges” features an interview with Edward Kohlberg, director, AM Best, about the state of the U.S. life/annuity insurance industry.
“Getting the Right Golf Insurance Coverage Isn’t Always Par for the Course” looks at the many unique liabilities involved in insuring golf courses.

Best’s Review is AM Best’s monthly insurance magazine, covering emerging issues and trends and evaluating their impact on the marketplace. Access to the complete content of Best’s Review is available here.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Contacts

Patricia Vowinkel
Executive Editor, Best’s Review^®
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5540
patricia.vowinkel@ambest.com

Tags Business, New Jersey

Local News Weather Weather & Environment

Tornado twister on Tuesday, leaves hazardous damages behind in Lawrence Twp.

Post author By Editor
Post date February 24, 2023
No Comments on Tornado twister on Tuesday, leaves hazardous damages behind in Lawrence Twp.

LAWRENCE TWP., N.J. — A raging, windy tornado storm hit Lawrence Square Village condominium homes Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind very dangerous and hazardous lingering effects.

The storm that damaged the West Windsor, and Quaker Bridge area in Lawrence Township uprooted trees, ripped off rooftops, tore up shingles, zinc and tin sidings, ceilings in breezeways, and left many sharp-sided and metallic building materials hanging from ceilings, and blowing all over the neighborhoods.

Blog video – Tornado twister in Lawrence Tuesday

One neighbor said, “I was alone at home…” when all this was happening right outside my home.

NJ tornado aftermath — In the Lawrence Square Village housing complex in Lawrence Township, branches from a tree uprooted during a confirmed tornado on Tuesday, Feb. 21, caused extensive damages to this parked car, photographed on Wednesday, Feb. 22. — Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

NJ.com reports below that tornadoes are unusual for this time of the year:

Rare February tornadoes

Tornadoes are rare in the New Jersey region during the month of February, when temperatures are normally cold and strong thunderstorms typically don’t develop.

However, weather service records show four twisters touching down in the Garden State in February since 1950, with the most recent occurrence — prior to Tuesday’s tornado — in 1999.

In that occurrence, a small tornado touched down in Cherry Hill in Camden County on Feb. 12, 1999.

Three small tornadoes were reported in Hunterdon County on Feb. 2, 1973, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Events Database. One touched down on a farm in Tewksbury, one 2 miles east of Lebanon and one 2 miles northwest of Califon.

Culture Local News Weather

Hughes advises Mercer County residents to prepare for hurricane season

Post author By Editor
Post date August 8, 2022
No Comments on Hughes advises Mercer County residents to prepare for hurricane season

TRENTON, N.J. — As the peak period for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey arrives, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes advises County residents to plan and prepare for potential storms this summer and fall.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but the peak time for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey is mid-August to late October. When they approach land, tropical storms and hurricanes can be extremely deadly and destructive — even as far inland as Mercer County.

“In Mercer County, we have first-hand experience with how devastating hurricanes and tropical storms can be, as we experienced last September when the remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in several of our communities,” Mr. Hughes said. “It’s essential that you and your family be ready before a storm strikes, and not put yourselves or others at risk by waiting until the last minute to prepare.”

The Mercer County Office of Emergency Management suggests taking the following readiness steps in preparation for hurricane season:

• Make a plan

. You may not be at home or with your family when an emergency occurs, so it’s important to have a plan for getting everyone back together in a safe place. The plan should also include what to do if you must shelter at home or evacuate, and emergency contacts both near and far from your home. Make sure your family and everyone involved knows the plan, including children and your emergency contacts.

• Build a kit

. Your emergency preparedness kit should include a stockpile supply of items, consisting of at least a three-day supply of bottled water, non-perishable foods and essential medications set aside for each member of your family and your pets. You can also include important documents and supplies for eating, bathing, safety and entertainment. Have a portable, crank or solar-powered USB charger on hand for your cell phone.

• Stay informed

. Use credible websites and social media to stay informed of breaking news and continued coverage of emergency events. And continue to monitor traditional media sources — TV, newspapers and radio — for information during an emergency. Your local Emergency Management or Emergency Services office will provide you with information about such things as open shelters and evacuation orders. Also register for the Mercer County emergency notification system by visiting www.mercercounty.org and clicking on “Alert Mercer” at the top of the home page.

For more information about emergency preparedness, including making a plan, creating an emergency kit and staying informed, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign at www.ready.gov, or the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management at www.nj.gov/njoem.

Environment Local News Weather

Heat advisory in efffect for Mercer; cooling sites open

Post author By Editor
Post date July 22, 2022
No Comments on Heat advisory in efffect for Mercer; cooling sites open

TRENTON, N.J. — The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Mercer County and the surrounding area on Wednesday, July 20, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and an Excessive Heat Watch on Thursday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. County Executive Brian M. Hughes reminds residents that many cooling sites will be open.

Temperatures Wednesday are expected to reach the middle to upper 90s with a heat index (a measure of the combination of heat and humidity) of up to 105 degrees. For the Excessive Heat Watch on Thursday, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees are possible. Children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets are most at risk during excessive temperatures.

To cope during extreme heat, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty, and spend as much time as possible in an air-conditioned environment. Be sure to check on elderly relatives and neighbors. If using a mask, use one that is made of breathable fabric, such as cotton, instead of polyester. Don’t wear a mask if you feel yourself overheating or have trouble breathing.

Hot weather can impact everyone, regardless of age or condition, but some people are more at risk than others. People most at risk include those over age 65, individuals with medical conditions, those taking medications that may affect the way the body reacts to heat, people with disabilities, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, babies and young children, those who are overweight or obese, individuals who work or exercise outdoors, and even those residents who may have recently arrived from cooler climates. Never leave children, pets or anyone with limited mobility alone in hot vehicles. Even with the windows rolled down, only minutes in a hot car can be deadly.

Mercer County Library System branches and municipal senior centers serve as cooling sites, although daily hours of operation vary. These locations are open to all residents. The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Hightstown, Hopewell, Lawrence, Robbinsville, Twin Rivers, and West Windsor library branches are open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Hollowbrook Branch is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Call individual senior centers for hours of operation, restrictions and accommodations. Call your local senior center if you don’t see it on the list of confirmed cooling sites below.

Mercer County library branch locations
• Ewing, 61 Scotch Road
• Hickory Corner, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor
• Hightstown Memorial, 114 Franklin St.
• Hollowbrook, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing
• Hopewell, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington
• Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike
• Robbinsville, 42 Allentown-Robbinsville Road
• Twin Rivers, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor
• West Windsor, 333 North Post Road

Municipal senior center locations
• Ewing Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road; 609-883-1776
• Hamilton Senior Center, 409 Cypress Lane; 609-890-3686
• Hopewell Valley Senior Center, 395 Reading St., Pennington; 609-537-0236
• John O Wilson Center, 169 Wilfred Avenue, Hamilton; 609-393-6480
• Princeton Senior Resource Center, 101 Poor Farm Road, Building B, Princeton; 609-751- 9699

Robbinsville Township Senior Center, 1117 Route 130; 609- 259-1567
Samuel Naples Senior Center, 611 Chestnut Ave., Trenton; 609-989-3462
West Windsor Senior Center, 271 Clarksville Road; 609-799-9068

For assistance in coping with the heat or to contact your local cooling site, please call the Mercer County Office on Aging at (609) 989-6661 or toll-free (877) 222-3737. During non-business hours, residents are encouraged to call 911 if they experience heat-related problems.

Local News Weather

Hughes urges residents, businesses to register storm damage information

Post author By Editor
Post date September 10, 2021
No Comments on Hughes urges residents, businesses to register storm damage information

TRENTON, N.J. – Following Tropical Storm Ida, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes wants county residents and business owners to report damages sustained from storm last week via state portal.

Hughes is urging those impacted to report their damages at www.nj.gov/ida, which is the State of New Jersey’s data collection portal.

Mr. Hughes said that registering damage on the state portal will help FEMA evaluate the county for potential assistance. The portal will record basic information including name, location, damages and cost, and need from impacted residents and businesses.

“FEMA is still performing its assessment with county and state guidance, and it’s premature to say Mercer will be excluded from the Major Disaster Declaration,” Mr. Hughes said.

“Our Office of Emergency Management staff toured the county with FEMA representatives to survey the damage, and it certainly was extensive in a number of our communities.”

County properties that sustained storm damage include the Park Commission’s Howell Living History Farm, Mercer County Park, golf courses and trail systems; County roadways and eight bridges and culverts, Mr. Hughes said.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in Mercer County are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration. For information, visit https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/.

Residents in need of assistance with damage from Tropical Storm Ida may call a Home Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386 and speak to volunteers from local relief organizations and community groups that may be able to assist with cutting fallen trees, removing drywall, flooring, and appliances, tarping roofs, and mitigating mold. The hotline will remain open through Sept. 17.

Also, note that Mercer County has now been added to the list of New Jersey counties to receive disaster relief from FEMA.

Environment Weather

Best’s Special Report: Weather conditions portend another destructive year of wildfire losses

Post author By Michelle Dryden
Post date July 10, 2021
No Comments on Best’s Special Report: Weather conditions portend another destructive year of wildfire losses

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance–California wildfires caused more than $4 billion in commercial property losses for insurers in three of the past four years, with the expectation that 2021 fire losses could be even greater, according to a new AM Best report.

A new Best’s Special Report, “Weather Conditions Portend Another Destructive Year of Wildfire Losses,” examines the worsening severity and frequency of wildfire events in California. AM Best data shows that direct incurred loss and related legal costs from commercial fire claims surpassed $1.1 billion in 2017, 2018 and 2020. In those same years, combined losses for fire, allied lines, and commercial multi-peril (property) coverage exceeded $4 billion, compared with a high of $2.3 billion for any other year.

Eight of the 10 costliest U.S. wildfires occurred in California between 2017 and 2020. With record-breaking heat engulfing the western part of the United States in June and 98% of the land in western states experiencing drought conditions, this year’s wildfire season is about a month ahead of schedule.

“Based on current conditions, 2021 insured fire loss totals may exceed the losses of recent years,” John Andre, managing director, North American Property Casualty, said.

Over the past few years, the insurance industry has encouraged and enforced more mitigation efforts by insureds, such as using metal or fire-resistant fencing, shoring up roofs and gutters, and cutting back vegetation and trees from the perimeter of the home. Wildfire modelling has become more refined in recent years, enabling companies to make more informed underwriting decisions and reinsurance purchases.

In early 2021, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed new rules requiring insurers to provide consumers with their properties’ wildfire risk scores. Insurers must indicate any mitigation actions consumers could take to improve their rating (such as creating defensible space and fire-hardening) and give consumers time to lower their scores. The new regulations will incentivize mitigation and help consumers make better informed decisions when they buy, sell, or build a home. These changes will also provide insurance companies with more upfront certainty about the materials and information required in rate applications filed with the California Department of Insurance, eliminating delays caused by incomplete initial rate filings.

Currently, there are more than 30 California regulatory/legislative bills/proposals related to wildfire that can be grouped into four main categories: mitigation incentives, penalties, funding, and cancellations.

“These proposals underscore the growing importance that lawmakers and creators of public policies are placing on wildfire risk and the damage it causes as events occur more frequently and become more severe in nature,” said David Blades, associate director, industry research and analytics.

To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=310599 .