Three years after Superstorm Sandy flooded the Delaware Bayshore and devastated infrastructure and property, the Delaware Bayshore braces itself for another hurricane.
Still rebuilding from when Superstorm Sandy flooded the Delaware Bayshore and devastated infrastructure and property three years ago, Cumberland and Salem counties are bracing themselves for another hurricane.
"Our area got clobbered during Hurricane Sandy," said Cliff Higbee, chief of Downe Township Fire/Rescue and Dive Team. "One of our biggest fears is, there's a lot of homes that haven't recovered from Hurricane Sandy. We don't need anything of that magnitude to do as much damage."
Forecasters are still tracking Hurricane Joaquin and deciding what effect it will have on New Jersey but Gov. Chris Christie has already declared a state of emergency.
"Whether or not Joaquin is a direct issue for New Jersey by Monday, we know that there is definitely going to be moderate and likely to be major flooding events in South Jersey on Friday and Saturday, with 5-6 inches of rainfall expected to come over those two days," Christie said.
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"At particular risk are communities along the Delaware Bay in Salem and Cumberland counties and the coastal communities in Atlantic and Cape May counties. So as a result I've signed an executive order declaring a State Of Emergency in New Jersey as of this morning, giving our emergency management folks the tools they're going to need to ensure a speedy and an orderly response."
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly is monitoring Hurricane Joaquin closely.
"We are still looking at potentially heavy rain primarily tonight, into Saturday morning. With that, we also continue to look at potential coastal flooding," said Sarah Johnson of the weather service.
"After we get into the late weekend, from Sunday on, it is still uncertain. There is still quite a lot of uncertainty but we could still have issues, as far as coastal flooding and breezy conditions," Johnson added.
Salem County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Pompper and freeholder, and municipal officials are continuing to monitor the forecast and keep open lines of communication in preparation for the impending storm.
"We are constantly monitoring the forecast, it's changing rapidly back and forth. At this point, we are encouraging those who live in areas that have flooded previously to be prepared," Pompper said.
There are no mandatory evacuations at this point, however, residents who live in flood zones where they have experienced trouble with storm flooding in previous storms, are encouraged to make arrangements for safety.
"We want them to be prepared. If you know you've had issues in the past, just be ready," Pompper added.
Cumberland County Public Works employees are also cleaning out storm basins to lessen possible flooding, according to Kim Wood, assistant administrator.
The Cumberland County Office of Emergency Management is also keeping in communication with each municipality's emergency management office.
As the weekend approaches, the offices will be testing their generators and radios.
The personnel at Downe Township Fire/Rescue and Dive Team are also checking their equipment in preparation for Hurricane Joaquin.
"We're just going by the past history of the past storms," Higbee said. "This scenario, if this happens, what are we going to do? We're just trying to get our ducks in a row and make sure our boats are fueled up and all of the water rescue equipment is ready."
Residents of Downe Township have already started making plans to spend time inland during the storm, according to Higbee, and weekend residents are deciding not to head to the Delaware Bayshore.
Authorities have already notified nearby Rowan University that the campus may be needed to house evacuees, according to school spokesman Joe Cardona.
In 2011 during Hurricane Irene, Rowan housed 1,200 evacuees. The evacuees were housed in the gymnasium on cots supplied by the state.
Hurricane Irena occurred while school was out of session, however, and circumstances will be different for Hurricane Joaquin, Cardona said.
Shelter notices have also been sent to Rowan College at Gloucester County and area high schools.
Sandbag operations have also started in Gloucester County communities like Mantua and East Greenwich.
Residents in vulnerable areas are instructed to secure any outside furniture or anything else that might be swept up by a storm. Cars should be parked on high ground and, for those staying in areas prone to flooding, residents should keep an eye on forecasts.
"It's the old prepare for the worst and hope for the best scenario," Higbee said. "You don't want to cry wolf to anyone but you just want them to be prepared."
Reporters Brittany M. Wehner and Matt Gray contributed to this report
Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.