NJ Plans For Better Shore Evacuation

New Jersey is improving its plans to quickly evacuate large sections of the Jersey shore in the event of a storm or other emergency.

The Legislature is expected Monday to approve the recommendations of a task force that studies New Jersey’s ability to move large amounts of people away from the coast.

Plans call for lane reversals on major highways leading away from the shore; protecting critical infrastructure from storm damage, using schools as emergency shelters, and setting up a registry of residents who need special help in evacuating.

Some of the recommendations are already in use, including the emergency traffic flow plans that were used as Hurricane Irene bore down on the state last August.

The plan calls for better communication and standardization of rescue efforts.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)